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2019
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Walden University
Alero Obazee
Review Committee
Dr. Judith Forbes, Committee Chairperson, Management Faculty
Dr. Javier Fadul, Committee Member, Management Faculty
Dr. Michael Neubert, University Reviewer, Management Faculty
Walden University
2019
Abstract
by
Alero Obazee
Doctor of Philosophy
Management
Walden University
October 2019
Abstract
Most owners of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria are inadequately
prepared to perform the financial management tasks required for business sustainability.
This case study, guided by institutional theory, was conducted to explore how SME
sustainability in Edo state, Nigeria. The research question addressed the understanding of
experienced SME owners regarding how they can develop necessary financial
management skills for sustaining a business in Edo state. Data were collected using
semistructured interview, and field notes from 15 SME owners in Edo state who had
prior knowledge of, experience with, and education on financial management and had
been managing an SME for at least 3 years. Through Yin’s 5-step data analysis process,
member checking, and triangulation, the themes that emerged were strategic accounting
software. The study findings have the potential to contribute to positive social change by
by
Alero Obazee
Doctor of Philosophy
Management
Walden University
October 2019
Dedication
Ogbeide and Theodora Osagie-Ogbeide, whose needs I sometimes put aside to pursue the
cause of this study. My nieces and nephews, Gabby, Fabian, Tiyo, Feddy, Teghe, and
Jojo. Also, to my parents, Barr and Mrs. Moses Obazee, and my siblings and their
spouses, Tosan and Emmanuel Idehen, Dr. Henry and Barr, Onome Obazee, Engr.
Ebenezer and Engr Mrs Efe Obazee, and my own very special baby sister, Dede Obazee,
for believing I am a goal getter and encouraging me all the way. To my forever Dr. Nosa
Obanor, and to my wonderful friends and business partners, Okon Inyang and Juliet
Odigie, who constantly taught me banking and went ahead to join me in opening a small
little Blossom, you are just few weeks old in me, but this cannot be complete without
acknowledging you.
Acknowledgments
First and foremost, I appreciate God for the grace to complete this doctoral
committee members, Dr. Javier Fadul and my URR, Dr. Michael Neubert, for their active
contribution to the successful completion of this study. For all mutual support, I express
my profound gratitude to my peers during the doctoral study. I appreciate all research
Definitions......................................................................................................................7
Assumptions...................................................................................................................8
Limitations .....................................................................................................................9
Significance to Practice......................................................................................... 11
Institutional Theory............................................................................................... 16
i
An Overview of SME Business ...................................................................................17
Entrepreneurship ................................................................................................... 18
Research Design.................................................................................................... 47
Research Rationale................................................................................................ 50
Methodology ................................................................................................................56
Instrumentation ..................................................................................................... 58
ii
Issues of Trustworthiness .............................................................................................68
Credibility ............................................................................................................. 69
Transferability ....................................................................................................... 69
Dependability ........................................................................................................ 70
Confirmability ....................................................................................................... 71
Summary ......................................................................................................................74
Research Setting...........................................................................................................76
Demographics ..............................................................................................................77
Evidence of Trustworthiness........................................................................................82
Transferability ....................................................................................................... 82
Dependability ........................................................................................................ 83
Confirmability ....................................................................................................... 84
iii
Theme 5: Obtain Accounting Education............................................................... 90
Summary ......................................................................................................................92
Recommendations ......................................................................................................103
Implications................................................................................................................106
Conclusions ................................................................................................................109
References ........................................................................................................................110
iv
Appendix A: Interview Protocol ......................................................................................142
v
List of Tables
vi
1
Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study
to this growth and development (Lewandowska, Mateusz, Stopa, & Humenny, 2015;
development (Neagu, 2016). According to Neagu (2016), SMEs are an important part of
Nigeria’s economy and account for approximately 96% of the country’s businesses. The
focus of this study was based on sources of financing for SMEs in Nigeria. According to
Babatunde and Perera (2017), SMEs in Nigeria are classified according to the capital
involved, revenue, and number of workers. One of such classification indicates that an
SME is an enterprise with an asset base (without land) of between N5 million and N500
million ($138,888 to $1,388,888), and with a labor force of between 11 and 300
employees (Babatunde & Perera, 2017). The Small and Medium Enterprises Credit
2015).
where SMEs are often forced to close because they are not able to access the necessary
funds (Neagu, 2016). Banks find it challenging to cover the high costs of credit
associated with lending to SMEs because of the weak capital base, poor financial records
of SMEs, and market competition (Lewandowska et al., 2015). A gap in literature exists
on how SMEs’ owners can be adequately prepared to perform the financial management
Many factors contribute to the challenges confronting SME owners (Chhabra &
Pattanayak, 2014). Effective financial management is one factor. The ability of some
Many small businesses struggle to survive because they operate without formal financial
accounting practices (Chhabra & Pattanayak, 2014) or formal structures for management
(Reynoso, Osuna, & Figueroa, 2014). While literature exists on the problems that
contribute to the high failure rate of small businesses (Agwu & Emeti, 2014; Anderson &
Bahri, St-Pierre, and Sakka (2017) contended that contingency theory and the
management of SMEs. Both theories may be useful in explaining the factors influencing
institutional theory emphasizes the influence of external factors (Bahri et al., 2017).
Karadag (2017) appraised the factors that influence the choice of management accounting
international affiliation, and deployment of technology (Bahri et al., 2017). The theory of
3
institutional isomorphism explains the process by which one unit in a population
resembles other units that face the same set of environmental conditions (DiMaggio &
Powell, 1983).
Problem Statement
management, which often leads to business failure in the first 5 years of operations
(Olokoyo, Oyewo, & Babajide, 2014). Ninety-two percent of SMEs fail in business
within the first 5 years as a result of inadequate preparation of the owners for financial
management (Babatunde & Perera, 2017; Karadag, 2017). Maungal and Garbharra
(2014) confirmed that 60% of SMEs are unable to make a profit from the date of
inception to the closing of the business. Previous studies have revealed that one of the
Olokoyo et al., 2014). The general problem is that the financial management tasks
required for the effective management of SMEs in Nigeria are not taught explicitly to
SMEs’ owners before they assume responsibilities as leaders of their businesses. The
specific problem is that most SME owners are inadequately prepared to perform the
Perera, 2017).
The purpose of this exploratory multiple case study was to explore the
understanding of experienced SME owners regarding how SMEs’ owners can adequately
prepare for the financial management skills needed for business sustainability in Edo
4
state, Nigeria. The participants in this study were SME owners in Edo state who had prior
knowledge of, experience with, and education on financial management and had been
managing an SME for the last 3 years before their participation. I purposely selected the
and document review. I collected data from three different industries and relied on public
them in locations of their choice. The archival documents that I used for this study
included years of registration of business, and income and expenditure accounts from
SME owners who had been in business for the last 3 years before their participation in
this study.
Research Questions
Sasso, 2014). The research question gives direction concerning the data that needs to be
collected to answer the question and the exact focus of the conclusions based on the
findings of the study (Bagnasco et al., 2014). The overarching research question was the
following: What are the understandings of experienced SME owners regarding how
SMEs’ owners can be adequately prepared for financial management skills needed for
Conceptual Framework
The conceptual framework for the study was institutional theory as developed by
routines, and rituals that influence organizational behavior (Selznick, 1948). According to
Selznick, environmental factors affect the behavior, strategies, governance, structure, and
independently determine what structures and practices are in an organization and stated
that many organizations’ leaders appreciate that the status of legitimacy enhances
Selznick (1948) stated that managers of new firms typically adopt structures and
explored three concepts (rules, routines, and knowledge) through the lens of institutional
theory (Selznick, 1948) in SMEs in Nigeria to understand how rules, routines, and
the SMEs. Understanding the influence of these concepts as they relate to small business
theoretical and practical value. Knowledge of financial management can be useful for
small business owners (Karadag, 2015) and may contribute to effective strategies
(Froelich, 2015). As Angonese and Lavarda (2014) noted, having a better understanding
management practices. Thus, institutional theory was a useful base for this research.
A qualitative research design that involves semistructured interviews for the data
data. Yilmaz (2013) suggested that quantitative methods are most appropriate for testing
hypotheses that involve variables. Vohra (2014) explained that the use of quantitative
of leadership roles are present. Leadership has dynamic elements that require interpretive
I used a multiple case study research design. I considered grounded theory and
ethnographic research designs. Lawrence and Tar (2013) asserted that grounded theory is
more suitable for developing theory. I opted against using grounded theory because
theory development was not the objective of this study. Ethnography primarily centers on
exploring human cultures (Brown-Saracino, 2014); as this was not the focus of this
financial management research, my decision was not to use this design. I used a multiple
case study design, which required obtaining and interpreting descriptive information from
SME owners. The SMEs selected were from three different industries to assure the
interpretive and naturalistic approach to research. The multiple case that includes
healthcare, agriculture, and real estate industries may offer greater reliability. I selected
Cash management: Cash management is the management of cash flows in and out
of the business, which are readily available cash balances of the firm (Ahmad &
Abdullah, 2015).
record keeping of the finances of an organization and may include financial planning,
in the forms of sole proprietorship and partnership, with operations that reflect the low
volume of trade and involve fewer than 50 employees (Simionescu & Bica, 2014).
responsible for a managerial role in a small business, with the chief responsibility of
2014
SMEs’ finances: SMEs’ finances are the various sources of funding available to
SMEs’ business operations. The sources comprise private and external sources
countries in regard to the capital base, turnover, and the number of employees (Govori,
2013). The World Bank describes SMEs as enterprises with a maximum of 300
employees, $15 million in annual income, and $15 million in assets (Govori, 2013). The
8
Federal Ministry of Industries in Nigeria defined SMEs as businesses with an asset base
of between 5 million Naira and 500 million Naira, and a labor force of not more than 300
Assumptions
industry or subsector of an economy about the nature of problems being addressed by the
observation or study. Morrow and Nkwake (2016), using transformative mixed methods,
argued that assumptions can clarify the origins of differences in evaluation approaches
when a program has been designed to solve a problem, and the approach was to evaluate
The first assumption was that participants might provide accurate and appropriate
information in response to the interview questions that I could use to answer the research
comfortable and that the participants would be available during the period of the
interview. The third assumption was that the participants would understand and answer
the questions asked during the interview. Lastly, I assumed that the research participants
would have confidence and trust in the safety of their identities that would allow them to
The scope of a study provides for the boundaries of the study (Robinson, 2014).
In this study, the participants were SME owners from three different industries in Edo
state who had prior knowledge of, experience with, and education on financial
management and had been managing an SME for the last 3 years before their
participation. These SME owners in Edo state would have used their knowledge of
delimitations of a study allow the researcher to narrow the scope of the study by
establishing parameters for participants and location (Kirkwood & Price, 2013).
Bloomberg and Volpe (2012) described delimitations as the conditions that a researcher
intentionally imposes to limit the scope of a study. The participants have been described.
The exclusion criteria for this study applied to individuals who did not have 3 years’
Limitations
weaknesses (Morse, 2015). In a qualitative study, inherent issues exist related to validity,
reliability, and generalization of the study (Katz, 2015). The first limitation of this study
is related to the nature of the study; in a qualitative study, data are collected from
participants without empirical analysis (Morse, 2015). To minimize the bias associated
with the collection of qualitative data, I used both transcription and member checking to
ensure dependability of the data collection process (Ravitch & Carl, 2016). The use of
10
semistructured interviews does not allow for the generalization and comparability of the
findings, but the findings may serve and could be used for contextually understanding the
study (Miles & Huberman, 2014). Time may also be a limitation to the study; the period
of this study was a snapshot, reliant on conditions occurring during the research. IRB
The study may benefit SME owners who require financial management
knowledge to sustain their business for profitability. SME owners who currently struggle
handling expenditures, and financial management may gain insight from the findings of
the study. The federal government of Nigeria, as well as state and local governments,
may benefit from the study findings and apply resulting knowledge in educating would-
be SME owners to promote business survival, improve employment, and raise the
standard of living among citizens. Future researchers who may want to extend the body
of knowledge on financial management for SMEs may benefit from the study findings.
The study may be significant to positive social change. Creation of new knowledge
through the study findings may have positive implications for social change by shifting
the current paradigm for how SMEs operate a business to a new paradigm of financial
financial business management that may help business owners manage their funds
effectively and expand their businesses to the next generation, thereby improving the
studies on financing SMEs, which ultimately may bolster the financial strength of SMEs.
The findings may influence SME leaders to identify financing strategies they do not
currently use. Ultimately, the findings may influence monetary policy and decision
Significance to Theory
The existing literature on SMEs has not included an understanding of how SMEs’
owners can be adequately prepared for the financial management required for business
sustainability in Edo state, Nigeria (Edoho, 2016; Ofili, 2014). The research findings
from this study reveal additional information on how SMEs’ owners can be adequately
prepared for the financial management required for business sustainability in Edo state,
Nigeria. Future scholars of leadership and management may find the results of this study
useful when looking at SME owners’ skill development as a means of resolving the
unemployment dilemma in Nigeria and may proffer suggestions for growth and
development.
The results of this research may also benefit the leadership of educational
it relates to SME owners’ skill development, job creation, and unemployment reduction.
The findings of this study might contribute to the body of knowledge on SME financial
management development in Nigeria and provide the basis for future research by students
12
and researchers concerning the impact of SME financial management education policy on
The success of SMEs may contribute to economic growth that may bring about
social change in the community, specifically the growing economy of Nigeria. SME
innovation, growing GDP, and reducing unemployment (Aminu & Shariff, 2014; Govori,
2013). Increasing SME owners’ financial management capacity may have a positive
social impact on the community by promoting youth employment, thereby easing poverty
in poor households and leading to a more secure society (Aminu & Shariff, 2014; Ufot,
Reuben, & Michael, 2014). SME leaders who are successful in financial management
may provide employment opportunities, goods, and services to their communities (Ufot
et al., 2014). Policy efforts directed at SMEs often work from the premise that SMEs are
they are often forced to close shop because they are not able to access the necessary
funds. The purpose of this exploratory multiple case study was to gain an in-depth
understanding of how SMEs’ owners can be adequately prepared to perform the financial
Chapter 1 addressed the alignment of the problem statement, purpose statement, research
question, and conceptual framework. The participants in this study were SME owners
13
from three different industries in Edo state who had prior knowledge of, experience with,
and education on financial management and had been managing an SME for the last 3
years before their participation. Chapter 2 contains a literature review, my synthesis and
evaluation of previous studies, and an analysis of possible gaps in the existing literature
matched to the research topic. In the literature review section of Chapter 2, I discuss the
conceptual framework of the institutional theory developed. I also discuss SME financial
The specific problem is that most SME owners are inadequately prepared to
perform the financial management required for business sustainability in Nigeria. The
purpose of this exploratory multiple case study was to explore the understanding of
experienced SME owners regarding how SMEs’ owners can be adequately prepared for
financial management skills needed for business sustainability in Edo state, Nigeria. The
participants in this study were SME owners from three different industries in Edo state
who had prior knowledge of, experience with, and education on financial management
and had been managing an SME for the last 3 years before their participation. I conducted
a literature review to recognize relevant and updated literature that might diverge or
converge with the provision of knowledge on the SME financial management skills
required for financial management among SME owners in Nigeria. For the literature
review, I interviewed 15 SME owners who had the background to be able to provide
answers to the research question. To help in answering the research question and
journal articles.
regarding the SME financial management skills process that shapes the successes and
failure of several economies. In the next part of the section, I provide the conceptual
framework for the study. The last section of the literature review contains past research
on SME financial management that has not been previously gathered to fill the gap that
exists in the literature. A gap exists in literature on how SMEs’ owners can be adequately
15
prepared for the financial management required for business sustainability in Edo state,
Nigeria.
synthesis and structure of previous related studies. The literature review provides a
theoretical underpinning for a planned empirical study and validates the planned research
as having the potential to contribute to the body of existing knowledge (Salah, Ratajeski,
& Bertolet, 2014). The literature review supports the research methodologies, research
questions, and purpose of the study (Santos & Da Silva, 2013). My objective with this
literature review was to present a comprehensive assessment of how SMEs’ owners can
sustainability in Edo state, Nigeria. The literature review includes findings from recent
literature and studies on the topic of SME financial management. The articles in the
review are scholarly peer-reviewed journal articles published within the last 5 years. To
locate these articles, I searched the following databases: Academic Source Premier,
EBSCOhost, ProQuest, Emerald, Sage, and Business Source Premier. Keywords included
small and medium enterprise, the concept of finance in SMEs, entrepreneurship, sources
of funding for SMEs, inadequate funding for SMEs, and SME business strategies.
Conceptual Framework
the prime standpoint of an organization. Social processes include the rules, norms,
routines, and rituals that influence organizational behavior (Selznick, 1948). According to
16
Selznick, environmental factors affect the behavior, strategies, governance, structure, and
Selznick argued that many organizations’ leaders appreciate that the status of legitimacy
managers of new firms typically adopt structures and practices from similar organizations
I explored three concepts (rules, routines, and knowledge) through the lens of
managing the SME. Understanding the influence of these concepts as they relate to small
be useful for small business owners (Karadag, 2015) and also might contribute to
effective strategies (Froelich, 2015). As Angonese and Lavarda (2014) noted, having a
exploring financial management practices. Thus, the institutional theory was a useful
Institutional Theory
systems, and operational controls (Krenn, 2016). Informal controls consist of leadership
style, culture, values, and norms (Krenn, 2016). Management control is also viewed
information system that links managers and employees of the organization (Krenn, 2016).
appraised the findings from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), which revealed
that about 96% of Nigerian businesses are SMEs compared to 53% in the United States
and 65% in Europe. Definitions of SMEs vary across countries and regions. To cater to
the lower rungs of enterprises operating in developing countries such as Nigeria, the term
(Musimenta at el., 2017). For this review, SMEs include microenterprises, which are the
The Central Bank of Nigeria has described an SME as a business with a turnover
of less than (Nigerian Naira) N100 million per annum that employs fewer than 300
employees (Central Bank of Nigeria [CBN], 2013). Three hundred and thirty-one women
employees have received training, compared to 286 who received training under the
women and gender development program in 2012 (CBN, 2013). Although participants in
SMEs appear not to be contributing as much as SMEs in countries with the same or a
the various governments in Nigeria not showing enough commitment to the concept of
Entrepreneurship
in 1885 (Raheed et al., 2017). Since then, there have been varying definitions for the
terms entrepreneurship and entrepreneur (Carland, Carland, & Carland, 2015). Rasheed
introduction of new products and services, hence its relation to the term innovation. The
background of the entrepreneur, along with market size and type, determines
entrepreneurship business activities (Rasheed et al., 2017). Thébaud (2015) stated that
various interests and factors instigate entrepreneurship, including gender and sources of
finance. Other scholars have shared the sentiment that entrepreneurship adds value to the
economy globally (Akinbami, 2015; Maritz, Koch, & Schmidt, 2016). Entrepreneurship
activities reflect a more competitive market (Iosif, 2015), which is a rationale for
governments that do not promote women SME leaders at developing stages can
experience loss of capital from woman-owned SMEs (Sow, Basiruddin, Mohammad, &
entrepreneurial successes and failures (Musimenta et al., 2017; Rasheed et al., 2017).
Diverse factors affect business challenges as well as growth opportunities (Maritz et al.,
2016). Potential antecedents of entrepreneurship and SMEs for women include (a)
identifying growth limitations for women SME leaders, (b) hindrances to business
success among women who are small business owners in the area of educational
capabilities, and (c) financial resources available to the women (Maritz et al., 2016).
Other potential limiting factors are (a) applicable constraints, (b) personal characteristics
such as willingness to take risks, and (c) capabilities of the business organization
(Rasheed et al., 2017). Each of these areas deserves extensive discussion, along with
20
analysis of capabilities, experiences, and other factors that could be helping or hindering
not promote SMEs at the developing stages can experience loss of capital from these
to overcome them (Maritz et al., 2016). Several researchers have studied entrepreneurial
successes and failures. Musimenta et al. (2017), Rasheed et al. (2017), and Sow et al.
(2018) inferred that business growth among SMEs involved challenges like those in other
business ventures. This research built on past research studies that pertain to issues of
interest to the current study. At the end of the research study, participants were
interviewed to collect data for analysis and to provide answers to the research question.
Rao, Kumar, Gaur, and Verma (2017) inferred that SMEs could obtain finances
through private sources consisting of the owner and manager’s savings and retained
earnings. Other sources include financial support from family and associates, trade credit,
venture capitalists, and angel investors (Ibrahim & Shariff, 2016; Ibrahim & Ibrahim,
2015). External sources of funding include banks, commercial institutions, and securities
markets (Rao et al., 2017). According to the economic growth cycle model, business
requirements and the investment decisions available to SMEs change through the various
stages of the business development cycle (Ibrahim & Shariff, 2016; Rao et al., 2017).
Fatoki (2014) examined the traditional and innovative financing options available to new
SMEs in South Africa. The analysis included the traditional sources of capital equity and
21
debt such as business angels, venture capitalists, commercial banks, trade credit, and
government agencies (Fatoki, 2014). Several challenges and barriers, including lack of
external finance, prevented the creation of new SMEs and increased failure rates for
Africa (Fatoki, 2014). Fatoki found that SMEs had limited access to external finance
despite the existence of various financial market sources of equity and debt to new SMEs.
Fatoki suggested that one of the innovative ways to increase access to finance for SMEs
Crowdfunding is a pioneering and somewhat new idea of sourcing funds through the
Internet that links entrepreneurs and investors (Rao et al., 2017). Entrepreneurs can
collect funds through the Internet, by way of open invitation, to finance business ventures
from relatively small offerings of a relatively large number of investors (Ibrahim &
Shariff, 2016). Xiang and Worthington (2015) examined the expansive collection of
opportunities that crowdfunding provided, which could benefit the wider sociopolitical
SMEs suffered the significant impact of the global financial crisis in 2008
(Ibrahim & Shariff, 2016). Xiang and Worthington (2015) observed that banks did not
encourage banks to grant credit to SMEs (Ibrahim & Shariff, 2016). Xiang and
22
Worthington concluded that crowdfunding was an alternative source of financing SMEs
that was more reachable than banks and capital markets. Investment decisions of SMEs
differ across countries (Ibrahim & Shariff, 2016). The financing classification options of
SMEs vary from small to large companies (Golić, 2014). Crowdfunding is another means
Xiang and Worthington (2015) revealed that large enterprises differ significantly
from SMEs in their funding decisions because financial information on large firms is
readily available for investors. In the case of SMEs, there may be a lack of information,
and investors may not be able to determine the risk involved in investing with SMEs
(Ibrahim & Shariff, 2016). The range of financing sources available to SMEs includes
private funds, retained earnings, and debt capital (Ibrahim & Shariff, 2016). Domeher,
Musah, and Polu (2017) investigated factors that affected SMEs’ business financing
strategies for new investment projects, which included banking sector and informal credit
sources in Vietnam. Domeher et al. (2017) analyzed a sample of about 2,200 SMEs with
7,900 observations from the manufacturing sector in Vietnam for the period 2005, 2007,
and 2009. The objective was to examine the financing formation of the new business
ventures. After enactment of the Enterprise Law in Vietnam, SMEs developed rapidly in
(Ibrahim & Shariff, 2016). For SMEs, the mode of collection of funds by their
proprietors, proper bookkeeping, and firm size determined their credit mix (Ibrahim &
Shariff, 2016). The findings provided insight into the current supply-and-demand
23
variance in the capital market in Vietnam, and the authors identified the need to establish
Briozzo and Vigier (2014) examined the use of personal loans in funding SMEs in
Bahia Blanca, Argentina. Lending to SMEs increased by 30% between 2005 and 2006
(Domeher et al., 2017). The dependence on bank loans represented a barrier to the growth
of SMEs, predominantly given the small percentage of funds allocated to such enterprises
in Argentina (Ibrahim & Shariff, 2016). The use of personal loans was a partial solution
to the demand for credit, which remained disappointing, by the traditional financial sector
(Ibrahim & Shariff, 2016). Mature companies, businesses with unpredictable growth, new
owners, and owners with emotional costs associated with the liquidation were less likely
to use personal loans to finance business operations (Ibrahim & Shariff, 2016). Karadag
(2017) concluded that the owner’s private loans invested in the small business created a
form of equity, while loans held by the enterprise function represented part of the firm’s
debt. The variation also affected the method by which the owner assessed the company’s
financial risk compared to the owner’s financial risk (Ibrahim & Shariff, 2016). Karadeg
(2017) examined the degree of SME banking development with an emphasis on drivers
and obstacles to banks’ involvement with SMEs in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BH). Banks
began to seek solutions to the challenges of the high credit risk of the SME sector
(Ibrahim & Shariff, 2016). The main findings indicated that the SME sector is a strategic
area for banks to invest in by granting credit to SMEs (Ibrahim & Shariff, 2016). The
ratio of SME loans to total corporate loans fluctuated between 7% and 85%, with an
services to SMEs that compensated for the higher risks of the segment (Ibrahim &
Shariff, 2016). Karadag (2017) studied the business financing of SMEs in Nigeria, taking
banks in Nigeria. The sources of investment finance for SMEs in Nigeria included
proprietor’s savings, moneylenders, and local authorities. The formal investment sector
included equity financing through VC and business angels (Ibrahim & Shariff, 2016).
The informal finance sector (IFS) provided more than 70% of the funds needed by SMEs
(Ibrahim & Shariff, 2016). Financing for SMEs is crucial to the economic growth of
Nigeria (Ibrahim & Shariff, 2016). SMEs in Nigeria face difficulty in accessing bank
credits and other commercial agencies (Ilegbinosa & Jumbo, 2015). Banks found it
harder to deal with SMEs in comparison to other clients because of the high risks and
lack of information associated with SMEs (Ilegbinosa & Jumbo, 2015). Access to
operational funds such as credit finance, labor, and technology were significant problems
Financing for SMEs usually comes from individual savings, family, and
associates, while credits from banks and other commercial institutions hardly occur
(Ilegbinosa & Jumbo, 2015). Small businesses in Greece depended on private funds and
did not create additional capital from sources outside the family (Ilegbinosa & Jumbo,
2015). There was reluctance on the part of small businesses to use independent outside
funds such as VC or business angels (Ilegbinosa & Jumbo, 2015). The level of financing
SME in Albania increased; however, the increase was insufficient to promote a speedy
25
development of the SME sector (Ilegbinosa & Jumbo, 2015). The government of Albania
improving the investment environment for SME (Ilegbinosa & Jumbo, 2015).
to funding; with the interventions from Credit Guarantee Corporation (CGC) scheme, a
limited private enterprise that facilitated guarantee credit to SMEs (Dang, 2015). There
was an inverse relationship of factoring with the level of debt to SMEs and the
willingness of banks to lend (Dang, 2015). The factors included the higher the level of
liability, the lower the availability of bank lending, with greater use of factoring
(Mohamad, Zakaria, & Hamid, 2016). Albanian SMEs needed liquidity and working
capital while factoring are potential financial product available to the Albanian SMEs
(Mohamad et al., 2016). SMEs in Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia indicated that the
finance for SMEs was available; however, the bank funding was inaccessible to the SME
(Dang, 2015). Although SMEs need outside financing, however, few capital markets are
available for the SMEs to access equity financing (Mohamad et al., 2016). The lack of
awareness on the rising cost of capital market on the part of owners and managers posed
another challenge to the SMEs in accessing finance (Satiman, Mansor, & Zulkifli, 2015).
Credit scoring practice is essential for banks to distinguish financially weak SMEs from
The failure of banks to measure SME's risk profile resulted in limited resource
allocations to SMEs (Satiman et al., 2015). In the event of a surplus demand for the bank
credits, interest rates were more likely to increase to the banks’ advantage (Hussain et al.,
26
2014). The internal sources of SMEs capital in China comprised of individual and family
savings, reserved earnings, working capital, and disposal of fixed assets (Hassan & Talib,
2015). The external funding sources included established VC speculations, bank loans;
initial public offering (IPOs) (Hassan & Talib, 2015). The agreement between sources of
financing and small start-up businesses was predominantly individual and family savings
(Hassan & Talib, 2015). Meanwhile, the percentage of business angels’ investment was
low, compared to innovation-driven countries (Hassan & Talib, 2015). Hassan and Talib
individuals who often invest to meet the capital demands of small businesses (Hassan &
Talib, 2015). Angel investors invest in high-net-worth individuals and private startup
companies (Kerr et al., 2014). Angel investors invest in high-net- worth individuals and
private startup companies (Hassan & Talib, 2015). Angel investors pool resources
collectively and create more substantial investments than when they could have had an
independent investment (Hassan & Talib, 2015). Mohamad et al. (2016) examined the
micro enterprises as those demanding less than $10,000 in the financing. Increase access
to financing SMEs became an important goal for many governments and development
agencies because SMEs are the potential drivers of economic growth and employment
27
generation (Moscalu, 2015). Banks traditionally ignored SMEs in developing countries
because of the limited nature of investment (Hassan & Talib, 2015). Moscalu (2015)
examined the integration of banking and stock Euro markets based on quantities and
price-based measures. The financial integration in the Euro area positively influenced
SMEs’ access to debt finance (Moscalu, 2015). Cross- border lending by microfinance
institutions in the Euro zone positively correlated with the evolution of SMEs’ debt ratio
(Moscalu, 2015). Banks regard SMEs as too risky and expensive to give loans (Hassan &
Talib, 2015). Banks began to identify prospective viable SMEs to grant credit (Hassan &
Talib, 2015). Notwithstanding the intention of banks to give loans to SMEs, only a
portion of SMEs had access to the loans from banks (Hassan & Talib, 2015).
Most MFIs in LAC had challenges offering low-interest rates loans to subtle price
VSEs and had trouble contending with banks, with lower financing cost structures
(Moscalu, 2015). Satoman et al. (2015) examined firm characteristics that influence
accessibility to loans with a sample of 970 SMEs that operated across nine provinces of
capital, difficulty accessing credit financing, and rising cost of issuing stocks in financial
markets, were among the financial constraints faced by SMEs in Turkey (Hassan &
Talib, 2015). Hassan and Talib (2015) revealed a lack of secure credit history
information, poor legal, and institutional framework on the part of business managers in
developing economies, hamper access to finance. Only a small proportion of the SMEs in
Turkey could generate high earnings adequate to appeal to VC, private equity, or new
banking sector collaboration with the real economy sector, to provide SMEs, the much-
needed funds and at minimal costs. SME mutual bond was a key improvement that
delivered new funding network for SMEs in China (Hassan & Talib, 2015). The mutual
bonds market played a significant part encouraging everyday financing for SMEs
(Hassan & Talib, 2015). The findings indicated that the cause of inefficient funding to
SMEs was the loss of confidence in the value of assets, and a high degree of information
SME funding in Ghana. The mutual bond market had a guarantee credit effect
for sourcing internally and externally (Robertson, 2017). Robertson (2017) examined the
SMEs capital decision and risk behavior in the banking industry in Ghana. Robertson
(2017) evaluated 503 SMEs by randomly selecting from a database of National Board for
standards, staff characteristics, and bank characteristics were the determinants of SME
capital choice (Donkor, Donkor, and Kwarteng (2018). Donkor et al. (2018) noted that
loans and overdrafts, cash collection, transfers, bank securities, advisory services, and
training were among the essential services benefited by the SMEs. Africa’s SMEs
enabled economic growth and development; however, the fundamental constraint to the
SME growth and development was a lack of access to capital from the banking sector and
bank loans, and other lines of credit (Yeboah & Koffie, 2016). There is a need for further
29
studies on Nigeria SMEs’ experience on funding practices by commercial banks. Abu
and Haruna (2017) examined the influence of social relationships on SME’s access to
bank credit and charges, based on the theories of monetary intermediation and social
connections. Abu and Haruna (2017) used data from 300 Tunisian SMEs to obtain
evidence on credit relationships with funding banks during 2008. Banks issued credits to
SMEs with high- interest rates because of information asymmetry (Abu & Haruna, 2017).
To decrease the cost of borrowing, the SMEs relied on the individual relationship with
their bankers (Asante, Kissi, & Badu, 2018). The proposition of social theory revealed
that the social relationships encourage the flow of information between parties (Asante et
al., 2018). The power of social relations is only in the period of the social relationship
External sources of funds for SMEs comprise funds from associates, families,
employers, and coworkers (Robertson, 2017). Startup firms can also access loans from
banks and other monetary institutions; backed by an asset, such as land, machinery, with
agreements on repayments and in the event of default, the banks would sell off the
properties (Osano & Languitone, 2016). Other sources of capital include bank credit,
credit from suppliers, VC, and funding from government agencies such as the US Small
Business Administration (Osano & Languitone, 2016). Crowd-funding is a way for start-
ups and small enterprises to raise funds in comparatively small contributions without
corporations, from which a startup today may require little VC funding. Venture capital
30
funding led SMEs to conclude that the era of biotech start-ups funding was over outside
the USA (Anu & Haruna, 2017). The company’s financial records showed adoption of
economic models based on angel investment, grants, and revenue, moving away from
business models that needed substantial investment (Anu & Haruna, 2017). The VC
virtually fled from backing up new companies of biotech start-ups in Europe, particularly
in the UK (Abu & Haruna, 2017). The trend of flight of VC could increase because
sectors as evolving force in the next decade (Abu & Haruna, 2017). Firms assembled
ideas from customers for transformation and integration into the early stages of the
innovation process (Robertson, 2017). Abu and Haruna (2017) examined three
paradigm, small firms could use internal and external concepts during the innovation
development (Abu & Haruna, 2017). Explanations for the increased importance of
markets for technologies were emerging in various industries while the need for
crowdsourcing is evolving (Anu & Haruna, 2017). The survey of SBA of 2003 indicated
lending to SMEs (Abu & Haruna, 2017). Access to capital with highly attractive terms
and the environment created demand for funds by a small business community (Abu &
Haruna, 2017). South Africa adopted business incubation as one vehicle for upgrading
the SMME sector (Abu & Haruna, 2017). Robertson (2017) noted that 67% of
mainstream SMMEs leaders financed their start-up businesses from private or family
31
savings, while 33% funded through bank credits. Robertson (2017) also noted that 90%
of the SME entrepreneurs reluctantly joined the incubation program (Abu & Haruna,
2017). The World Bank account reported that 15% of the small business in Malawi used
bank financing, which was higher than the 10% of firms using bank funding in the Sub-
of SMEs to grow to their full potential (Abu & Haruna, 2017). The Central Bank of
directly involved in the SME sector (Abu & Haruna, 2017). The outcome of the study
revealed that 89 % of the SMEs obtained loans from microfinance institutions, while 60
% obtained credits from the banks, and 48 % obtained less than desired to obtain (Abu &
Haruna, 2017). Taiwo, Yewande, Edwin, and Benson (2016) explored the roles of
microfinance banks on SMEs and the benefit derived from the credit scheme of
microfinance banks. Taiwo et al. (2016) interviewed 15 SMEs leaders across Lagos state
Nigeria would improve the capacity to granting credit to SME for growth and
development. Robertson (2017) noted that improving the accessibility of credit facility to
Nigeria should encourage microfinance banks and other, monetary institution to support
32
the SMEs in Nigeria. Klyton and Rutabayiro-Ngoga (2018) examined firm-level
determinants of the funding sources and structure of operational funds of Turkish SMEs
(Klyton & Rutabayiro-Ngoga, 2018). Taiwo et al. (2016) used a cross- sectional data set
of 1,278 SMEs for the year 2013. Larger firms and businesses with international standard
quality certification had a lower proportion of working capital from internal sources
(Klyton & Rutabayiro-Ngoga, 2018). Lamboll, Martin Sanni, Adebayo, Graffham, Kleih,
Tunisia created an Investment Company with VC called SICARs. The motivation for VC
financing was because new businesses often found it difficult to obtain loans from
commercial banks (Abe, 2015; Abdulazeez, Suleiman, & Yahaya, 2016). Lamboll et al.
(2018) examined the financial factors that affected the functionality and profitability of
SMEs in Romania, taking into consideration the financial indicators from 2009 to 2012
The SMEs contributed significantly to the developments of the SME sector and
the economy, which characterized about 99% of all businesses in Romania, provided
around 50% of GDP, and approximately 65% of employment (Aliyu, Yusuf, & Naiimi,
2017). Kumar and Rao (2015) examined the funding preferences of SMEs and what
influences the financing decisions of SMEs in India. The inadequate finance faced by
SMEs was a result of demand and supply gap (Kumar & Rao, 2015). There was also a
financial institutions to provide SMEs with funding (Kumar & Rao, 2015). Kumar and
33
Rao proposed a conceptual framework that could analyze the financing preferences of
During the last decades, there was increasing awareness in studies focusing on the
SMEs sector, determined by the acknowledgment that SMEs are powerful engines of
the researchers considered the broad diversity in the broad category of SMEs (Klyton &
Rutabayiro_Ngoga, 2018). Researchers revealed that size does matter when it comes to
opaqueness and lack of collateral, led SMEs to have limited access to funding (Klyton &
sizes (Lamboll et al., 2018). Academic exploration reached remarkable inferences that the
capital structure of larger firms can apply to SMEs (Lamboll et al., 2018). The
developing countries’ banking system offers little financial products to SMEs (Lamboll et
al., 2018). Aliyu et al. (2017) noted that securing credit by SMEs requires borrowers to
The condition of pledging collateral hinders the establishment of new SMEs and
the expansion of existing ones (Aliyu et al., 2017). Ikebuaku and Dimbabo (2018)
guaranteeing such high-risk loans to boost SMEs businesses. The reasons, why banking
and financial institutions were reluctant to disburse funds to SMEs in Malaysia, included
a lack of collateral and business records (Ikebuaku & Dimbabo, 2018). Collateral and
34
inadequate documents, to support a loan application, had a significant influence in the
Pandula (2015) examined the situation of SME financing in Sri Lanka and
highlighted some constraints faced by banks and SMEs. The banking sector faced the
limitations of high risk, high administration costs, and lack of information on the
borrower, and poor legal systems to fall back to in the event of default by borrowers
(Ikebuaku & Dimbabo, 2018). On the other hand, the SME operators faced the lack of
collateral, complex application procedures; and the high cost of finance associated with
obtaining loans from the banks (Pandula, 2015). Pandula recommended financial
structured finance tools, and train bank staff who handled the applications of SME
customers (Pandula, 2015). Pandula (2015) also recommended the introduction of new
credit guarantee schemes, setting up of an SME rating agency, and developing a cluster-
There is a common acceptance that many small businesses do not use formal
financial practices (Bilal, Naveed, & Anwar, 2017). Limited finance and managerial
expertise are challenges for the expansion of small businesses (Bilal et al., 2017). Carey
and Tanewski (2016) confirmed a number of small business owners do not have financial
skills. Accounting limitations also exist in small businesses (Ahmad & Abdullah, 2015).
required resources, skills, and expertise negatively affects internal accounting practices
(Carey & Tanewski, 2016). Ahmad and Abdullah (2015) argued that small businesses do
not have sufficient resources to employ expertise in accounting, which is one of the bases
for their financial failure. Poor cash management is another concern in financial
management. Bilal et al. (2017) highlighted cash flow management as one of the biggest
challenges of small businesses. Poor cash management is a primary reason why many
& Allen, 2015) and success. Morris et al. (2015) inferred that strategies are plans of
actions that influence behavior within institutional norms and rules. Strategic
management is essential for efficient management of the resources of the firm (Salas,
Lewis, & Huxley, 2017). Business strategies are the alignment of the organization with
its environment (Palmer, Wright, & Powers, 2015). Differently put, the institutional
2015). Scholars posited a relationship between strategies and firm performance (Palmer
et al., 2015). Some strategic performance indicators are strategic direction, strategy
Wolverton, 2015).
36
For effective strategies, small business administrators require knowledge and
skills in areas such as marketing, finance, and accounting (Palmer et al., 2015).
Moreover, small business owners need to have an appreciation of their own capabilities
to determine effective strategies for business success (McDowell, Harris, & Geho, 2016;
Palmer et al., 2015). Diverse and unique strategies may exist in various businesses (Sala
et al., 2017). Bagnoli and Giachetti (2015) categorized strategic orientations of businesses
as internal and external. Internal includes management practices such as human resource
management and financial objectives, while external relates to sales growth (McDowell
et al., 2016). Though financial value is an objective of business owners, strategic choices
are not solely of economic value but are also in alignment with institutional logics
(Ocasio & Radoynovska, 2016; Parez & Cambra-Fierro, 2015). Palmer et al. (2015)
approach whereby firms compete on price; and differentiation strategy, which reflects a
focus on brand. The strategies that small business owners and managers adopt are
constant growth of small businesses and their economic impact in the developing
countries, policymakers in these countries such as Nigeria are focusing on the small
business sector (Koens & Thomas, 2015). Mendoza (2014) revealed the importance of
global small businesses, with emphasis on the developing countries. Small businesses
influence social and economic development (Karadag, 2015), and are the backbone of the
37
global economy (Cant, Erdis, & Sephapo, 2014; Clementina, Egwu, & Isu, 2014), as well
as the emphasis on international economic growth (Tijani & Mohammed, 2013). Small
businesses have a significant impact on economic growth (Taneja, Pryor, & Hayek, 2016)
and equitable development in developing economies (Agwu & Emeti, 2014). Extant
Romero, 2013). Another positive impact of small businesses is the potential poverty
Collins, Miles, & Verreynne, 2013). Parilla (2013) also conveyed confidence that small
business owners create job opportunities. In developing countries, small businesses are a
measure to combat high poverty levels and unemployment (Ghobakhloo & Tang, 2013).
Inal, Ariss, and Forson (2013) observed the existing perception that small businesses help
development, innovation, and job creation (Subramaniam, Shamsudin, Zin, Ramalu, &
Hassan, 2016). The creation of new jobs by small businesses is positive for the economy
Small business success factors. Indicators of the success of small businesses are
in two categories, financial and nonfinancial performance (Rahman, Amran, Ahmad, &
Taghizadeh, 2015). There are numerous factors within these two categories. One such
factor is business skills by personnel of a firm (Rambe & Makhalemele, 2015). The
competencies of a staff can impact the performance of the firm (Rambe & Makhalemele,
38
2015). Proper financial management is another primary factor (Rahman et al., 2015),
while efficient cash management is also imperative for small businesses success and
growth (Mungal & Garbharran, 2014). Furthermore, the success of small businesses is
reliant on the availability of funding (Cowling, Liu, Ledger, & Zhang, 2015). The success
factors of small businesses were not only directly linked to financing. Abilities,
competencies, and skills of the owners of the small businesses are potential determinants
of the success of a small business (Cowling et al., 2015). Musimenta et al. (2017) noted
strategy alignment with personal competence is a critical success factor for small
businesses.
Factors that curtail small businesses. Though there is a positive impact of the
small business sector on the global economies (Massaro, Handley, Bagnoli, & Dumay,
2016), the probability of small business failure is high (Massaro et al., 2016). The failure
rate for small businesses has been significantly high (Lee & Weng, 2015). Scholars
credited various factors for the failure of small businesses. Financial mismanagement is
an area that causes business failure (Cowling et al., 2015). The lack of innovation is
another factor that could affect the success or failure of a small business (Dunne, Aaron,
McDowell, Urban, & Geho, 2016). Other factors that influenced the failure of small
businesses are a tax burden, inability to secure loans, low business asset utilization, and
expense management (Rasheed, Shahzad, Canroy, Nadeem, & Siddique, 2017). Lussier
and Corman (2015) identified business plans as a key variable in the survival or failure of
(Parks, Olson, & Bokor, 2015), but the influence could vary according to the size of a
39
firm (Lee, Jeon, & Na, 2016). Knowledge of a business plan could help someone to
determine if the business is viable (Human, Clark, Baucus, & Eustis, 2015).
competitive environments, and financial challenges (Agwu & Emeti, 2014). Chittenden
and Derregia (2015) lamented financial constraints as a negative factor that hinders small
business progress. Insufficient planning and lack of credibility also contribute to failure
factors (Sow, Basiruddin, Mohammad, & Abdul Rasid, 2018). There is a huge emphasis
2015). Similarly, Sow et al. (2018) expressed that poor financial management practice is
a prime reason for small business failure. Another area of finance that propels small
business failure includes limited access to funding, which according to Rasheed et al.
There is also the potential issue of monetary theft, which could be detrimental to
small businesses (Kennedy & Benson, 2016). Inefficient administration is another critical
cause of small business failure (Kennedy & Benson, 2016). Active management is a
management is poor managerial skills, which is a key failure factor (Agwu & Emeti,
2014). Massaro et al. (2016) confirmed the challenges of the lack of managerial
capabilities and human resources in small businesses. The failure rate of small businesses
40
in developing countries is because of insufficient managerial skills and lack of trained
(Reynoso, Osuna, & Figueroa, 2014). The majority of small businesses are owner
managed (Mazzarol, 2014), hence the custom for owners to perform multiple functions in
small businesses (Ghobakhloo & Sai, 2013). An influential role of the proprietor of a
small business is to establish the purpose of the firm. An applicable consideration, in this
case, is where a small business owner only would aspire to generate sufficient profit to
meet personal expenses, while an entrepreneurship mindset would result in more long-
term decisions and maybe creating an organizational structure (Ionitã, 2012). Ultimately,
the direction and strategies of the firm are reflection of the owner (McDowell et al.,
continue to increase the demand for greater skills and capabilities of management (Griffin
& Annulis, 2013). Having a cadre of competent core employees is imperative for small
businesses to survive (Chowdhury, Schulz, Milner, & Van De Voort, 2014). Managers
should have the requisite skills to be able to perform higher than average, which reflected
satisfactory performance (Benjamin, Sharma, Tawiah, Chandok, & John, 2014). Personal
managerial skills and capabilities can be used to develop and grow the business (Smith &
41
Barrett, 2016). The competencies of administrators’ influence efficiency and success of
owner-manager of the firm (Tauringana & Afrifa, 2013). The absence of managerial
skills and competencies has contributed to the majority of small businesses failing (Mohd
& Mohamed, 2013). Insufficient competence would pose a barrier to improving the
success of small businesses, which could result in dormancy and eventual failure
(Yazdanfar, Abbasian, & Hellgren, 2014). There is a need for SME owners to possess a
range of abilities, competences, and skills in the interest of the organizations' survival
(Mitchelmore et al., 2014). In addition to the owners, the competence of the staff can be a
success factor for small businesses (Yazdanfar et al., 2014). Knowledgeable employees
add value to their employers’ business (Stam, 2013). A skilled and contented staff
increases the potential for profits in a small business, hence the existence of human
resource strategies such as empowerment and employees training (Cook & Chaganti,
business owners often attempt to stretch their knowledge and human capacity by
strengthening networks with likeminded and similar personnel (Kuhn, Galloway, &
Collins-Williams, 2016).
42
Improving Small Business Activities
Jarvi (2015) assessed and appraised the development of business activities using
qualitative data collection and analysis to examine how business activities occur among
eight students within a small business. Jarvi (2015) inferred that initiative and
business takes place through means such as peers review, learning by doing, from
interaction, and from mistakes (Josien, 2012). Josien (2012) also appraised that by
occur through the business interaction with the outside world to be able to operate a small
business such as kiosk business (Kramer, 2015). Jarvi (2015) suggested that learning of
business activities of small businesses should occur under the supervision of a mentor.
The survey population in the study is the employees of the Federal government of Nigeria
whose roles whose outcomes are not physical products. Gaining an in-depth
adequately prepared for financial management skills needed for business sustainability in
Edo state, Nigeria may assist future researchers to develop methods of transferring
Hyder and Lussier (2016) compared the factors that can lead to new business
success and failure and how attainment of information on such factors can be significant
to a new startup. Information on feasibility study of the small scale startup, accurate
information on staffing, adequate capital inflow and information regarding partners and
clients are important for the survival and growth of the small scale business (Hyder &
Lussier, 2016). Factors such as lack of consistency in electricity, political instability can
contribute to small business failure (Aslam & Hasna, 2016; Heinonen & Hytti, 2016).
The ability to attain adequate information provides the opportunity to the entrepreneur.
SME owners regarding how SMEs owners can be adequately prepared for financial
management skills needed for business sustainability in Edo state, Nigeria. Caskey
(2015) inferred that information on competition strategy can be relevant for a new
business startup and survival. Caskey (2015) categorized the competitive strategic
activities would produce more effective result for a startup small scale business. The
focus on the study is to explore the understanding of experienced SME owners regarding
44
how SMEs owners can be adequately prepared for financial management skills needed
Hess and Cottrell (2016) stated that the presence of business risks continues to be
many types of external and internal risks that could determine their success (Belás et al.,
2015). The economic situation surrounding a business also impacts its performance (Hess
& Cottrell, 2016). Virglerová, Kozubíková, and Vojtovic (2016) added other critical
additional area of risk that could negatively impact small businesses is fraud (Hess &
Cottrell, 2016). Fraud involves actions such as cash skimming, false expense claims, cash
larceny, and non-cash theft (Kramer, 2015). Business administrators employ risk
management techniques to limit the occurrences or impact of risks, which varies by entity
(Abotsi et al., 2014). Despite businesses being a resourceful and efficient platform,
making provisions for adverse activities is important (Sarmiento, Hoberman, Jerath, &
Jordao, 2016). Risk management mechanisms are critical for financial challenges
(Sarmiento et al., 2016). The administration of financial risk determines the performance
of a firm (Belás et al., 2015). Hess and Cottrell (2016) suggested that counteractive
actions to fraud risks comprise establishing a culture in the business where ethics matters,
45
encourage reporting by making the process easy, and advocate the trust but verify’
approach.
The search strategy and sources of information for the literature review were part
considered in the chapter. Chapter 2 contained the conceptual framework that served as a
lens in the study. The relevance of the conceptual framework was analyzed and
that highlights the SME financial management behavior of the SME owners. Other
information on the research methodology of the study. I explained the methodologies, the
design, data collection, and analysis to obtain information aimed at filling the knowledge
gap.
46
Chapter 3: Research Method
The specific problem was that most SME owners are not adequately prepared to
perform the financial management required for business sustainability in Nigeria. The
purpose of this exploratory multiple case study was to gain an in-depth understanding of
how SMEs’ owners can be adequately prepared for the financial management required
for business sustainability in Edo state, Nigeria. The participants in this study were 15
SME owners from three industries—(a) healthcare, (b) agriculture, and (c) real estate—in
Edo state who had prior knowledge of, experience with, and education on financial
management and had managed an SME for the last 3 years before their participation.
open-ended questions, in addition to collecting observational field notes and carrying out
document review. This chapter includes information on the research methodology and
design of the study, which aligned with the problem statement, purpose statement, and
research question. Where data saturation was not achieved with the 15 participants, more
SMEs were interviewed to seek generation of new themes or convergence of themes and
ideas to monitor for data saturation. I categorized the codes and themes into the
dimension that aligned with the framework used in the study. I reviewed the dimensions
In this chapter, I address the research approach, the functions, and my role as the
researcher. Additionally, I discuss the logic behind the selection process for the research
Research Question
Research questions signify the aspects of inquiry that the researcher wants to
study in identifying and guiding the data collection process (Lewis, 2015). Through a
research question, a researcher attempts to find out and address a gap in research and
ascertain how data were collected (Lewis, 2015). The research question that I developed
to guide this study was the following: What are the understandings of experienced SME
owners regarding how SME owners can be adequately prepared for financial
The multiple case study design was chosen for this study to facilitate the
acquisition of detailed information from research participants and gather insight for
obtaining answers to the research question. The multiple case study design allowed for an
extensive and thorough understanding of the issues from a broader perspective with data
from various sources, and it was based on the premise associated with the purpose of the
study and data collection method (Witon, 2015). The qualitative research approach was
Research Design
Researchers are advised to identify research designs that are congruent with the
intent of the inquiry (Van Maanen, 2015). The types of qualitative research designs
and a survey needs to be conducted using an electronic medium (Fletcher & Marchildon,
needs to achieve consensus using a series of questionnaires and the provision of feedback
to participants who have expertise in key areas (Green, 2014). The significant
requirements for using the Delphi technique as a research design tool are the need for
experts’ judgment, group consensus to achieve results, anonymity in data collection that
ensures zero influence on the experts’ answers, and a complex, multidimensional, and
interdisciplinary problem (Fletcher & Marchildon, 2014; Green, 2014). Cassar, Marshall,
and Cordina (2014) suggested that the Delphi approach becomes useful when a
researcher needs to collect ideas from isolated experts on a specific topic and establish
study, I intended to interview the research participants in the field and not from isolated
through face-to-face interviews with participants when the findings are related to cultural
activities (Goffin, Varnes, Van der Hoven, & Koners, 2012). The research design of
ethnography addresses the learned behavior of a group (Weis & Fine, 2012).
Ethnography involves a study of a cultural group and findings about cultural activities
49
that focus on marginalized groups in society (Mutchler, McKay, McDavitt, & Gordon,
2013; Van Maanen, 2015). Because I used a broader based methodological research
participation in this study, the ethnography research design was not suitable.
Grounded theory. Grounded theory is used as a research design when the aim of
the study is to birth a new theory or conduct research with little theoretical foundation
(Gambetti, Graffigna, & Biraghi, 2012). This study had a broad foundation, and
appropriate explanations abound for the concept of entrepreneurship (see Johnson &
Bloch, 2015; Kenny & Fourie, 2014). Furthermore, in the grounded theory approach,
researchers have a goal of generating a theory; because my intention in this study was not
to formulate a theory, the use of the design was inappropriate (see Kenny & Fourie,
2014).
the storytelling perspective, and the design is appropriate when data are collected from
stories told by participants (Manning & Kunkel, 2014). The narrative design is focused
on the life experiences and stories of participants presented in a story form (Boccuzzo &
Gianecchini, 2015; Ivana, 2016). The use of narrative design in data collection is not
suitable when the focus is on identifying broader strategic issues (Morse, 2015; Thomson,
2015); therefore, this design did not meet the needs of this study and was not used.
focused, and is suitable when people describe their lived experiences of what and why
they embarked on a decision or process (Tight, 2016; Yuksel & Yildirim, 2015). The
perceptions, and specific human experiences (Denzin & Lincoln, 2014). These
experiences lead to various descriptions of the essence of the experience (Denzin &
Lincoln, 2014; Yuksel & Yildirim, 2015). Because this study was externally focused and
dealt with externalities as I sought to gain insight on how graduates gain entrepreneurial
Case study. The case study research design is preferred when insufficient
knowledge on theories exists, and when a new theory might be developed through the
outcome or result of the research being undertaken (Yilmaz, 2013; Yin, 2017). This
research design is based on the premise of the purpose of the study and the types of data
to be collected (Denzin & Lincoln, 2014; Halkier, 2013; Stake, 2013). The qualitative
exploratory case study design was the most practical design for this study (Stake, 1995).
Case study allowed me to explore how SMEs’ owners can be adequately prepared to
perform the financial management required for business sustainability in Edo state,
Nigeria.
Research Rationale
The goal of the study was to use the guiding ideology of institutional theory to
provide an explanation of and elucidate the activities and the processes leading up to the
emergence of new ventures in the field of entrepreneurship research that could help
reduce unemployment for a better Nigerian society. The study was worth conducting
because the result may help policymakers develop policies that may encourage
51
entrepreneurship and reduce unemployment. The result of this study may add a new
This exploratory case study allowed me to explore and capture the participants’
experiences and develop themes from emerging data. To conduct the case study phase of
this study, I followed Bailey’s (2014) suggestion that researchers using exploratory case
study design adopt a step-by-step process for a better understanding of a given outcome.
The basis for the adoption and use of multiple studies was my interest in following the
study to concentrate on the natural aspect of knowledge, its nature, and how it can be
impartial, unprejudiced, and value-free social research and consider the form the
foundation for a final arbiter in theoretical disputes (Grant & Osanloo, 2014). Such a
position gives the researcher the opportunity to look for complexity in the views of
research participants, rather than being restricted to distilling the meaning of the study
Fifteen SME owners who had experience in SME financial management and had
adequately prepared for the financial management required for business sustainability in
Edo state, Nigeria, participated in the interview process. I approached SME owners, using
the inclusion and exclusion criteria for the recruitment of the sample population, and I
interviewed each in a location comfortable to him or her. I scheduled and conducted one-
on-one interviews with each of the SME owners to check whether the sample size
sufficiently obtained the richest data possible, collected field notes through observations,
52
and reviewed archival documents to gain a common understanding to answer the research
question. The interviews for this study were recorded using a digital audio recorder; I
then transcribed the interviews obtained from these recorded sections and collated codes
into potential themes by identifying themes and units of meaning from the participants’
As the researcher, I was the primary data collection instrument in this qualitative
case study. In qualitative research, researchers are the primary instrument of data
collection (Yin, 2014). Manderscheid and Harrower (2016) inferred that a qualitative
researcher should possess the skill to obtain information from participants and be flexible
in obtaining that information. Qualitative researchers need to reflect on and clarify their
role as data collection instruments (Abe, 2015). I conducted the case study with
because most SMEs in Nigeria have limited access to bank finance because of lack of
collateral security to guarantee the loans (Abe, 2015). Sources of funding are crucial to
used consent forms for the participants in which I promised that I would not disclose their
confidential information and would keep all data in a secure place. I indicated in the
53
consent form that all participants (a) understood the right to participate, (b) could
withdraw from the interview at any time they wished without providing an explanation of
the reason for the withdrawal, and (c) knew that participation in the research was
Review Board (IRB) considerations, I adhered to the Belmont Report protocols that
outline participants’ rights and privileges. Bromley, Mikesell, Jones, and Khodyakov
(2015) explained that a researcher must follow the Belmont Report protocol to conduct
Bias was mitigated by avoiding viewing the data from a personal standpoint. I
opinions is crucial when dealing with participants in a qualitative study. I also mitigated
bias by using an interview protocol, ensuring data saturation, member checking, and
reviewing transcripts for validation for all the participants. I forwarded to all participants
their respective transcripts through email, to review and confirm the content of the
interview. I then followed through with emails, phone calls, and personal visits, as
questions, but also as a practical guide to assuring that the same kind of information is
assumptions that may affect the investigation process and findings (Chan et al., 2013).
(Jansen, 2015). According to Jansen (2015), to successfully bracket, the researcher needs
to develop strategies for dealing with influence throughout the research process. I put
aside all of the knowledge I had on the sources of financing for SMEs and adopted an
open mind to listen to the participants and understand their views and experiences.
protocols are more than lists of interview questions (Alshenqeeti, 2014); interview
protocols are also practical guides for directing a new qualitative investigator through the
Field Test
In this study, expert validation was conducted to get expert advice and feedback
on the initial interview questions (see Appendix A). Feedback from the experts informed
the final interview questions contained in Appendix B (Guth & Asner-Self, 2017; Ravitch
& Carl, 2016). The process of expert validation aided in the comprehension and better
understanding of how the chosen method aligned with both the problem statement and
the research question. The conduct of face-to-face interviews using the qualitative
research method allowed for the reconstruction of events that I had never experienced, as
it enabled me to put together a description from separate participants with which I could
information from the Walden University faculty expert directory (FED). An expert
validation method in which feedback was obtained from experts in qualitative research
design was used to check for the alignment of the research question to the interview
questions and get qualitative research subject matter experts’ feedback (Anseel, Beatty,
Shen, Lievens, & Sackett, 2015). Using the FED, I sent an invitational email to 11
proposal that included the title page, problem statement, purpose statement, research
only three experts responded to my inquiry. The comments from the three experts
provided insight for revising the initial interview questions that became the final
interview questions (see Appendix B). The experts were kind enough to highlight some
of the elements that were omitted and provided further insight into ways of improving the
The first qualitative research expert, Subject Matter Expert 1, asserted that the
problem statement needed to be revised and reworked to align with the purpose statement
and the research question. I sent a reply email explaining how the problem statement
aligned with both the purpose statement and the research question. Subject Matter Expert
2 made suggestions on possible corrections to the problem statement and the purpose
statement but affirmed that the problem statement, the purpose statement, and the
56
research question were aligned. I made corrections to the suggested areas. Subject Matter
between me and the experts was conducted via e-mail, and the feedback obtained became
the final interview questions (see Appendix B). The evaluated interview question and the
inputs from the subject matter experts enabled me to make the necessary revisions,
improve the quality of my work, and collect relevant data from the research participants
that were used in answering the research question and addressed the gap in the literature.
Appendix B contains the interview protocol after expert validation. Using the FED, I sent
containing an attachment of the abridged proposal that included the title page, the
problem statement, the purpose statement, the research question, and the initial interview
questions (see Appendix A). Before interviewing the participants, I developed summaries
with important details for direction through the process of the interview. The details
included a personal introduction, the topic of the study, the reason for the study, an
explanation of the consent form, and a description of the rights and privileges of the
participants. I also explained how I would record the interview processes, take notes, and
provide clarification on any other questions that the participants asked. I allowed
Methodology
The research approach for this study was the qualitative methodology, and the
concept to be investigated was the financial management practices of SMEs. The main
57
research methodologies are quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods (Wisdom,
Cavaleri, Onwuegbuzie, & Green, 2012). The choice of the qualitative method for this
study was anchored on the basis that the qualitative method provides guidelines and
equips the researcher to understand the case to be studied (Guth & Asner-Self, 2017). In
this study, I adopted the purposeful sampling approach to select research participants
from SMEs who may provide data suitable for exploring how SMEs’ owners can be
adequately prepared for the financial management required for business sustainability in
Edo state, Nigeria. The inclusion criteria specified that participants needed to be SME
owners who had operated their businesses for at least 3 years and were employers of
labor. The exclusion criteria applied to SME owners who were contractors to other
organizations and/or had operated their businesses below a threshold of 3 years before the
study. Participants in this study included SME owners who had been self-employed
within the last 3 years. The sample population consisted of individuals owning SMEs
who represented the case; the selection criteria encompassing SME owners who had been
self-employed within the last 3 years was based on Patton’s (2002) suggestion to focus on
the selection of information-rich cases, the study of which illuminated the question under
The participants for the study were SMEs owners who had prior knowledge of,
experience with, and education on financial management and had been managing an
SME for the last 3 years. I purposely sampled the SME research participants to ensure
diversity of gender and experience as representatives of SME owners who are adequately
58
prepared to perform the financial management required for business sustainability in Edo
The exclusion criteria applied to (a) SME owners who had not operated their
businesses for the last 3 years and (b) SME owners who had operated businesses outside
of Edo state. The choice of the 15 participants was justified as I continued the interviews
until saturation was obtained. Saturation occurs when no substantive new details emerge.
I transcribed the interview data to obtain emerging themes, and I used other sources of
data such as field notes and archival documents to triangulate the data. According to
Guest, Bunce, and Johnson (2006), common understanding often develops within the first
understanding (which can be called saturation), then more interviews might be required.
The common understanding may be improved by analyzing the data at the individual
level, or by the collection of field notes through observation and document review (Guest
et al., 2015). An axial or thematic clustering coding process was used for this study,
which involved an inductive approach in which I began with a chunk of data and moved
on to coding categories as themes and patterns were observed and used for analysis
Instrumentation
I was the primary data collector as the researcher for this study. Ho (2012)
asserted that the primary data collection instrument in qualitative research is the
researcher. Interviewing formed the major source of qualitative data collection of rich, in-
59
depth, and individualized form (Oye, Sorensen, & Glasdam, 2016). Qualitative method
provides an opportunity for the interviewer to interact with the participants on individual
bases as the participants shared experiences and opinions. The interview was conducted
in two primary forms, one-on-one (individual) or field notes. However, in recent years,
telephone interview, email interview, and other internet interviews like Skype (Leedy &
Ormrod, 2015).
Individual interviews are one-on-one moments between the interviewer and the
independent, in-depth personal data from each of the participants (Oye et al., 2016). The
main factors of selecting participants was the purpose of the study, research question of
the study as the interviews were conducted independent of each participant, and the
information were confidentially processed. For the data collection, I used individual
questions asked of the participants were central to the data collection processes. Face to
face interviews aid an opportunity to obtain extensive insight into the persons acting as a
participant; how they felt, what they think, what are the effects of certain events (Hazzan
& Nutov, 2014). The interviews consist of a guide to specific questions or a protocol to
delineate the process based on the conceptual framework and literature review. The
interview was entered on well-chosen questions aligned with the central research
60
question on how SMEs owners can be adequately prepared for financial management
required for business sustainability in Edo state, Nigeria. The private setting of the
These interviews were highly structured allowing me to exercise control over the
The participants were asked about their availability for interviews through letters
of introduction that may inform participants of the basic nature and purpose of the
research. The responses to interview questions may prompt vital information needed to
address the purpose of the study. The interview questions asked to the participants was
directly related to the research question of the study and responses obtained may become
part of the database built to manage the enormous amounts of data to be generated. The
interviews were audio-recorded, and participants had the opportunity to review the
transpired during the interview process and is a reflection my interpretation and meanings
Corbin and Strauss (2008) inferred that where the information shared by the
participants made the researcher uncomfortable, the researcher should understand that the
analyzing all the entire sets of responses I received from the participants. By the
my research findings.
To obtain the thematic expression from the transcripts, I provided code for the
from each line of thought, sentences or phrase of the participants (Rubin & Rubin, 2012).
The codes may give a clear understanding from the participants’ perspective in a way that
was distinct from each of them. The categorization of the codes may serve as a gathering
point for codes or family of codes (Ravitch & Carl, 2016). The categorization may lead to
the theme formation; themes explained what had happened, its meaning or how the
participants felt about the subject matter that helped drew conclusions and reflected the
opening and welcome note, (b) interview questions and, (c) a closing summary thanking
the participants. The interview protocol ensured the direction of questions and uniformity
in the interview process (Fakis, Hilliam, Stoneley, & Townend, 2014). The consents of
the participants were sought before proceeding with the interviews. All the interview data
and documents reviews were screened to remove personal information to prevent the
important to know that the interest of the study was to understand the case being explored
and the meaning the participants may make from the case being studied (Seidman, 2013).
collecting tool that allowed the researcher to acquire data from participants in the context
62
of the activities or the environment (Leedy & Ormrod, 2015; Ravitch & Carl, 2016).
Groenewald (2004) explained that the field note is commonly used by qualitative
researchers to collect an observational field note that includes: (a) notes that recorded
occurrences and events as they happen in the course of the interview (b) notes were taken
which reflect the preliminary understandings and connotation that are given to the
meanings (c) procedural notes and protocols were written to serve as a reminder to the
researcher on certain steps to be taken at the designated time and (d) memos were taken
to close out each interview session, that served as a brief abstract of summaries. Yin
(2013) give the steps in case study as (a) data compilation, (b) data disassembly, (c) data
reassembly, (d) data interpretation, and (e) data conclusion and meaning derived. While
conducting the interviews, I took field notes that considered any pertinent occurrences or
thoughts. The field notes generate insight into the roles being observed and reflective
Document review. The third instrument used was document review. Yin (2014)
studies; it included companies’ formal reports available through search engine platforms.
Document review is stable, specific, and broad; it covered an extended period and many
databases, such as papers, articles, government websites and public libraries. Dworkin
(2012) noted that the document review process is an adequate method for collecting data
needed to provide answers to the research question and to demonstrate data triangulation.
63
The documents that was reviewed may provide practical and heuristic proof
needed to advance SME financial practice in Nigeria. The documents included financial
statement with banks, employment history, and sales records. It may provide support for
the clarification of the research question and its significance both in practical and
theoretical terms that detailed the methods used to answer the research question. The
document review may serve as a point of convergence and alignment of the researcher’s
goal, values, and ideas about the research and the strategy needed to propel and move the
research process forward (Sue & Ritter, 2012). I searched across a broad range of
The recruitment of participants for this study occurred after obtaining approval
from the Institutional Review Board. I seek and obtained approval from the Walden
University IRB to access the consent form and expression of interest form (see Appendix
C). I sought and obtained permission from the University’s IRB (Walden University) to
conduct this study and produce a detailed schedule for the interview and data collection
processes. I seek and obtained consent from the individual participants to carry out the
interviews with the participants to collect data through audio recordings of the interviews.
participants to confirm that the produced transcripts represented what transpired during
notification e-mail that I sent to the research participants. The e-mail is necessary to
select the individuals that might be interested in participating in the study. The e-mails
contained a brief description of the study. Detailed information about the research
Kaiser (2009) towards protection of shared experiences of the participants and meeting
the ethical requirement. Kaiser advocated for a two-step approach to the informed
consent process: First, agreeing with participants on the use of data and confidentialities,
consent. Participants’ questions and concerns before, during, and after data collection are
always given attention to guarantee the understanding of the participants about the
process and interview questions and that the responses obtained remained anonymous
(Hazzan & Nutov, 2014). The consent form contained significant information on the
rights of the research participants. Information included in the consent form includes the
privacy and confidentiality of the participants, the liberty to quit from the research
process at any time without any retribution or sanction, the voluntary nature of the study,
the duration of the interviews, and secured data storage was aimed at protecting the
interests of participants.
65
Data collection plan. A collection of data in a qualitative method is often
dominant and prevalent theme in qualitative research is the understanding derived from
the linguistic meaning within the textual material. Serious consideration is attached to the
selection criteria for research participants and data collection. Careful planning before
and during the data collection preceded data analysis, as it was imperative for obtaining
valuable information from the study (Marshall et al., 2013). I reviewed relevant literature
to guide the data collection and sampling process that are consistent with the case study
design. The timing for the face to face interview was 30 minutes to 40 minutes and data
researcher can crosscheck and validate data from the various data sources to achieve
accurate and valid findings. Using multiple sources of data like the transcribed
interviews, filed notes, and archived document and seeking convergence among them to
form themes enhances the validity of the study (Yin, 2013). I maintained objectivity
through entries into the reflexive journal (Kvale & Brinkmann, 2015).
I used Yin’s five-step process of data analysis that include (a) data familiarization;
(b) initial coding; (c) exploration of themes; (d) re-examination or reviewing of themes;
theme collaboration. Data analysis was performed on the data collected from the
66
semistructured individual interviews, field notes through observation, and from document
reviews. Yin (2017) pointed out that one dominant practice during the analysis phase of
qualitative research is the return to the original propositions; the reason adduced for this
was that the practice led to a focused analysis when attractions to analyze data outside the
scope of the research question came up. The qualitative data analysis processes involved
coding of the data, categorizing the coded data, and subsequent generation of themes in
line with the research questions being addressed by the study (Godden, 2014).
To obtained the thematic expression from the transcripts, I coded the transcripts to
be able to extrapolate patterns or description of labels; these labels were generated from
each line of thought, sentences or phrase of the participant (Rubin & Rubin, 2012). Axial
starting with a chunk of data to coding categories where themes and patterns were
observed and used for analysis (see Miles et al., 2014; Ravitch & Carl, 2016). The codes
may give a clear understanding from the participants’ perspective in a way that is distinct
from each of them. The categorization of the codes may serve as a gathering point for
codes or family of codes. The descriptive categorization as an iterative process may allow
the theme to stay close to the research question through its emic attributes (Ravitch &
Carl, 2016). The categorization may lead to the theme; themes explained what had
happened, its meaning or how the participants felt about the subject matter that helped
drew conclusions and reflected the intents from the participants (Ravitch & Carl, 2016).
The textual transcribed data were uploaded into NVivo 11 software from the word
document to obtain an organized set of data that was sorted into groups and themes.
67
Miles and Huberman (2014) asserted that the determination of the means of data
collection, data organization, and data storage are important considerations before the
commencement of data collection as it saved the time taken in the data management
process. The development of a data framework is use for the data collected, as it served
as a guide in furtherance of knowledge for future researchers. The use of case study
enhanced the analysis of data as it had a set of routine procedure suitable for the
identification of themes that provided meanings to the research question (Ravitch & Carl,
2016). The data from the interview transcripts were organized into rows and columns; the
interview questions on how the participants obtained knowledge for SME financial
practice was stored in the columns, and the responses that provided by participants
occupied the rows. NVivo Version 11 is the software that was used to organize the data.
and shape qualitative data (Richardson, Earnhardt, & Marion, 2015). During data
analysis, I read through the interview field notes and transcripts to have a better
understanding of the issues under exploration. Maxwell (2013) agreed that beginning the
analysis of the data should start during field work; with the analysis plan fitting into the
The goal of coding is to break the data into stages to help in comparisons and the
evolution of theory and concepts; Miles et al. (2014) noted that codes are labeled to
assign meaning to information and indicated that coding allowed for interpretation of data
on the data collection efforts. Precoding are deductive; however, it is left for the
68
researcher to follow-up with inductive coding as themes emerge from the data. It is
beneficial to the interviewer, for proper focusing of the interview process and avoiding
relate the conceptual framework, the document review, and responses to the research
questions to derive themes. Precoding assist the researcher to ensure congruence with the
conceptual framework and research questions. The precoded structure allows the
researcher to analyze the data iteratively to ensure the efficacy of the data collection and
organization processes
Issues of Trustworthiness
research studies; it is critical in ensuring that research findings have integrity in the
anchor point of giving integrity to the effort put in the study (Cope, 2014).
Trustworthiness in qualitative research entails four areas that when addressed ensured the
credibility of the study; the areas included (a) credibility, (b) transferability, (c)
Neville, 2014; Cope, 2014). The extent of the reliability of the research process is the
level of compliance with the rigors, demand, and ability to demonstrate evidence of the
results reported in the four areas. I ensured trustworthiness through triangulation, which
used the three related data collection methods to reduce bias associated with the use of a
reflexivity, while transferability is left for the reader to decide (Carter et al., 2014). I
ensured that I follow the interview protocol to keep track of the questions for uniformity
Credibility
In a qualitative study, the researcher needed to engage the study participants and
community long enough to gain and earn trust through the establishment of rapport.
With the establishment of the rapport comes the ability of the researcher to gain an
extensive and thorough understanding and information from the participants. Harper and
Cole (2012) described credibility as the process a researcher engages in to ensure that
findings are accurate. The prolong engagement of the study participants brings out
relevant characteristics peculiar to the issues been investigated thereby bringing out
details that were given new perspective and insight to the topic under investigation. I took
measures to ensure its wider application to a larger population as the case study is
focused on a small number of participants (15 SMEs). Sufficient time were spent during
the interview process to gain a sound understanding of the case under investigation. I
transcribed the 15 individually recorded interviews verbatim and ensured that the
participants received manuscript of the transcribed interview for comment and correction
through e-mails.
Transferability
The need exists for thoroughness in the processes leading to the identification of
the research participants and the overall data collection and analysis processes. Providing
70
a detailed protocol, explicit in the description of the steps to take might guarantee
external validity; it serves as the ability of the outcome and findings of the research to be
study (Collins & Cooper, 2014; Sinkovics & Alfoldi, 2012). I ensured the provision of a
detailed account of the natural settings where data were collected and provide an in-depth
explanation of the data collected and analyzed. Future researchers and readers may then
be presented with the opportunity of the findings and to evaluate the extent to which
these findings may be transferable to similar settings and larger population (Marshall,
Dependability
The issue of dependability focused more on the technical aspect of the research;
dependability refers to how well-established the data used in a study are (Su, 2014; Tobin
& Begley, 2004). Member checking ensured dependability of the qualitative research
been undertaken and the synergy that was derived from membership verification gave
validity (Munn, Porritt, Lockwood, Aromataris, & Pearson, 2014). The collection of the
field note, memos, and comments that revealed reflexivity in the research process, the
design layout of the research may give a vivid picture of the research strategy, and the
operationalization of this strategy may give the research process its dependability
attributes. I addressed the issue of dependability of the findings, in ensuring that if the
study were to repeat, given the same context, method and same participants that similar
result werebe obtained bearing in mind that each situation of study is unique in its
entirety. In my effort to enhance dependability; I explored and ensured that all the
71
processes are adhered to in arriving at the findings and described the processes to be
Confirmability
The need for the justification of the rationale behind the preference of the data
collection methods chosen and how they aligned with the research question and problem
statement were made known. Confirmability refers to the objectivity and correctness of
data (Abend, 2013). I provided a detailed explanation of the data analysis process to
demonstrate and exhibit transparency of the process. In checking for conformability, the
recommendations of the result may indicate what the experiences and thoughts of the
individual interview respondents are, rather than the researcher's prejudices (Anney,
2014). I documented the various reflections obtained in both the personal experiences,
cultural biases, and provided explanations on what informed my decision and possibly
Ethical Procedures
To maintain ethical standards, I communicated the aim of the study, the possible
benefits derivable and the expectations of the research with the research participants
before interviews were conducted. The purpose of this action is to protect participants
from harm and ensure the process is in line with the established professional and ethical
behavior (Cope, 2014; Komic, Marusic, & Ana, 2015). I informed the participants about
the ethical standards, and the informed consent process before conducting the interviews
(Sanjari, Bahramnezhad, Fomani, Shoghi, & Cheraghi, 2014). As a researcher, I had the
ethical duty to protect the study participants from harm (Komic, Marusic, & Ana, 2015).
72
As noted by Yin (2014), special considerations must emphasize to all human elements of
the research, from the participants to personal records. The protection of the participants’
right is paramount as I maintain ethical standards associated with the use of human
samples, the data collection and analysis was developed in a manner understandable to
selection process with indications that minimized the adverse effect of using only one
data collection source using triangulation. I informed the participants of the right to
accept or reject the offer to participate in the study. The right to participate or withdraw at
any time from the interview process without penalty is stated in the expression of interest
form and the informed consent form respectively. The participants were assured of the
safeguard of data collected by the encryption of the files and locking up paperwork
related to the research in a safe location with proper locking mechanics. This was done
with the intention of reducing the risk of data theft as the site may not be disclosed before
the interview.
ensure consent from the participants. Informed consent entailed having consented to use
the data so that the data are not interpreted as stolen data, and this goes for participants’
data from recordings and notes taking (Desai & Von, 2008: Ritchie, Lewis, Nicholls, &
Ormston, 2013). The consent sought was from individuals who participated in voice
recording and using transcription to code the research. Information made known to the
participants included the time required for the interview, member checking and the
73
questions that are asked. I took these necessary steps during data collection and analysis
to ensure that I have a verbal recording of the participants stating that they are consenting
to the data collection and analysis process and procedures and are fine with the interview
being recorded and transcribed. This ethical practice may help minimize harm to others
and ensured that the participants were given the opportunity to pull out of the process at
contributions given in the interview processes are indeed confidential and would not end
up in the wrong hands when I told them that the information provided is going to be safe
and secured. Protecting the privacy of participants was included both confidentiality and
privacy, and what information about the participants were distributed (Anney, 2014;
Ratvich & Carl, 2016). Ways I took to ensure confidentiality included using pseudonyms
and changing identifying information (Bojanc & Jerman-Blazic, 2013). I showed respect
for the participants that were interviewed and prevented issues that might compromise the
provide any additional comments or revisions to the transcript through e-mail. I protected
the data and records of the research participants by using a hard drive on a secure
information of the participants on the purpose of the study, gained the understanding the
participants of the risks associated with the research process. The benefit derivable from
74
the study and the right to pull out from the study if they don’t feel convinced or secured
in participating in the study was explained prior to data collection (Bojanc & Jerman-
Blazic, 2013). During and beyond the period of study, the communication channels
remained open and cordial. Where the need arose, I disclosed all activities that might
become potentially harmful and risky to the participants. Question and follow-up
Protecting researcher from risk. In the likelihood that an anticipated risk occurs
during the research processes, the participants were briefed on the mitigating strategies to
adopt. I showed awareness of the cultural biases that may exist among the research
environment where social gaps exist, I paid attention to the salient and hidden biases that
could have affected the study. The participants were commensurately motivated to
partake in the interview section through the building of trust that encouraged openness in
Summary
qualitative method that served as underpinning guide for the study the purpose of this
owners can be adequately prepared for financial management required for business
sustainability in Edo state, Nigeria. The rationalization of the research design employed
in the study served as a guide for the interview questions to extract information to answer
the research question. I interviewed the 15 SME owners in Edo state, who have had
75
experience, education and training on SME financial practice within the last 3 years. I
purposely sample the research participants and may gain data from semistructured
included details of the role of the researcher, the sampling population, the data collection
and analysis strategies and techniques used to maximize reliability. The other sections
that attracted important contents and attention were issues of trustworthiness that was
data collection and analysis. Evidence indicating trustworthiness and the research results
is part of Chapter 4.
76
Chapter 4: Results
The data resulting from the 15 interviews with the participants served as the input
for analysis after using NVivo 11 software to organize the data. Chapter 4 of this study
entails the purpose overview, the design of this study, and the implementation of the
research setting, demographics, data collection, analysis, and the general analysis strategy
used for this study. I illustrate the procedures for the collection of data, which were then
analyzed using coding and themes to reflect the findings ascertained from the stored data
Research Setting
The participants were recruited by identifying 15 SME owners in Edo state from
three industries—(a) healthcare, (b) agriculture, and (c) real estate—who had gained
experience, education, and training on SME financial practice within the last 3 years. I
depended on public SME to identify participants from different industries and separate
times. I administered and disseminated by email the script and the Consent Agreement
Form (see Appendix C) to the research participants after identifying each of them, and I
explained the primary focus of the study prior to asking them the interview questions.
Some potential participants declined to be part of the study based on their busy schedules,
and others did not respond to my email. Some potential participants did not have email
addresses; therefore, I contacted them and learned that they did not have the
qualifications to participate per the inclusion criteria. As a result, I sent e-mails to other
possible participants not covered earlier, and I sent consent forms and interview protocols
to those who responded. I obtained the necessary number of participants and set up
77
individual interviews with each. The interviews lasted approximately 30-45 minutes. I
sent the transcripts to the participants the day after their interviews over the course of the
data collection process to ensure their immediate review for the strength, validity, and
Ten participants asked for copies of their final transcripts, and four participants
requested copies of the final dissertation. A strength of the study is that it reflects a
professional knowledge shared by the participants during the face-to-face interviews for
Demographics
The sample for this study consisted of 15 SME owners in Edo state who had
experience, education, and training relevant to SME financial practice within the last 3
years. The purposeful sampling allowed me to intentionally select this sample, in which
demographics aligned with the criteria for participation in this qualitative study. Table 1
is used to present the demographics of the research participants. The study population
was composed of 15 SME owners in Edo state who had experience, education, and
training on SME financial practice within the last 3 years. In alignment with the
objectives of the study, I used a sample size of 15 to establish data saturation and
Participant Demographics
Data Collection
After receipt of approval from the Walden University IRB (approval # 03-22-19-
participants in Edo state who had experience, education, and training relevant to SME
financial practice within the last 3 years. A collection of data in a qualitative method is
dominant and prevalent theme in qualitative research is the understanding derived from
the linguistic meaning within the textual material. Serious consideration is attached to the
selection criteria for research participants and data collection. I reviewed relevant
79
literature to guide the data collection and sampling process that was consistent with the
case study design. The timing for each face-to-face interview was 30 to 40 minutes.
of multiple sources of data (Patton, 2015). Using data triangulation, a researcher can
crosscheck and validate data from various sources to achieve accurate and valid findings.
Using multiple sources of data such as transcribed interviews, field notes, and archival
documents and seeking convergence among them to form themes enhances the validity of
a study (Yin, 2013). I maintained objectivity through entries in a reflexive journal (Kvale
Data Analysis
I used Yin’s five-step process of data analysis, which includes (a) data
reviewing of themes; (e) and extraction of meanings, definition, and labelling of themes. I
performed analysis on the data collected from semistructured individual interviews, field
notes taken during observation, and document review. Yin (2017) pointed out that a
dominant practice during the analysis phase of qualitative research is the return to the
original propositions; the reason adduced for this was that the practice leads to a focused
analysis when there is temptation to analyze data outside the scope of the research
question. The qualitative data analysis processes involved coding the data, categorizing
the coded data, and subsequently generating themes in line with the research questions
able to extrapolate patterns or descriptions of labels; these labels were generated from
each line of thought, sentence, or phrase of the participants (Rubin & Rubin, 2012). Axial
or thematic clustering coding processes were used, which involved an inductive approach
starting with a chunk of data and proceeding to coding categories as themes and patterns
were observed and used for analysis (see Miles et al., 2014; Ravitch & Carl, 2016). The
codes may give a clear understanding from the participants’ perspective in a way that is
distinct for each of them. The categorization of the codes may serve as a gathering point
for codes or families of codes. The descriptive categorization as an iterative process may
allow the theme to stay close to the research question through its emic attributes (Ravitch
& Carl, 2016). The categorization may lead to the themes; themes explain what
happened, the meaning, or how the participants felt about the subject matter, helping the
researcher to draw conclusions and reflecting the intents of the participants (Ravitch &
Carl, 2016).
The textual transcribed data were uploaded into NVivo 11 software from the
Microsoft Word document to obtain an organized set of data that was sorted into groups
and themes. Miles and Huberman (2014) asserted that the means of data collection, data
organization, and data storage are important considerations before the commencement of
data collection, as determining these matters in advance saves time in the data
serves as a guide in furtherance of knowledge for future researchers. The use of case
study enhanced the analysis of data, as case study involves a set of routine procedures
81
suitable for the identification of themes that provided meanings to the research question
(Ravitch & Carl, 2016). The data from the interview transcripts were organized into rows
and columns; the interview questions on how the participants obtained knowledge for
SME financial practice were stored in the columns, and the responses provided by
participants occupied the rows. NVivo Version 11 was used to organize the data. NVivo
data (Richardson, Earnhardt, & Marion, 2015). During data analysis, I read through the
interview field notes and transcripts to gain a better understanding of the issues under
exploration. Maxwell (2013) agreed that the analysis of data should start during
fieldwork, with the analysis plan fitting into the data and research questions.
The goal of coding is to break the data into stages to help in comparisons and the
evolution of theory and concepts; Miles et al. (2014) noted that codes are labeled to
assign meaning to information and indicated that coding allows for interpretation of data
on data collection efforts. Precoding is deductive; however, it is left for the researcher to
follow up with inductive coding as themes emerge from the data. It is beneficial to the
interviewer for proper focusing of the interview process and avoiding data overload while
researcher to relate the conceptual framework, the document review, and responses to the
congruence with the conceptual framework and research questions. The precoded
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structure allows the researcher to analyze the data iteratively to ensure the efficacy of the
Evidence of Trustworthiness
In a qualitative study, the researcher needs to engage the study participants and
community long enough to gain and earn trust through the establishment of rapport.
With the establishment of rapport comes the ability of the researcher to gain extensive
and thorough understanding and information from the participants. Harper and Cole
(2012) described credibility as the process a researcher engages in to ensure that findings
are accurate. The prolonged engagement of the study participants brings out relevant
characteristics peculiar to the issues being investigated, thereby bringing out details that
give new perspective on and insight into the topic under investigation. I took measures to
ensure the study findings application to a larger population, as the case study was focused
on a small number of participants (15 SMEs). Sufficient time was spent during the
transcribed the 15 individually recorded interviews verbatim and ensured that the
Transferability
The need exists for thoroughness in the processes leading to the identification of
the research participants, as well as in the overall process of data collection and analysis.
Providing a detailed protocol that is explicit in the description of steps to take might
guarantee external validity; it supports the ability of the outcome and findings of the
83
research to be transferable. Transferability refers to the ability to reapply a research
finding in another study (Collins & Cooper, 2014; Sinkovics & Alfoldi, 2012). I ensured
the provision of a detailed account of the natural settings where data were collected and
an in-depth explanation of the data collected and analyzed. Future researchers and readers
may then be presented with the opportunity of the findings and to evaluate the extent to
which these findings are transferable to similar settings and larger populations (Marshall,
Dependability
dependability refers to how well-established the data used in a study are (Su, 2014; Tobin
& Begley, 2004). Member checking ensured dependability of the qualitative research
been undertaken, and the synergy that was derived from membership verification gave
validity (Munn, Porritt, Lockwood, Aromataris, & Pearson, 2014). The collection of field
notes, memos, and comments may reveal reflexivity in the research process, the design
layout of the research may give a vivid picture of the research strategy, and the
operationalization of this strategy may give the research process its dependability
attributes. I addressed the issue of dependability of the findings, ensuring that if the study
were to be repeated in the same context and with the same method and participants, a
similar result would be obtained, bearing in mind that each situation of study is unique in
its entirety. In my effort to enhance dependability; I ensured that all of the processes were
adhered to in arriving at the findings and described the processes to be followed in the
study.
84
Confirmability
provided a detailed explanation of the data analysis process to demonstrate and exhibit
the result may indicate what the experiences and thoughts of the individual interview
respondents are, rather than the researcher’s prejudices (Anney, 2014). I documented the
various reflections obtained in both the personal experiences, cultural biases, and
Study Results
The purpose of this exploratory multiple case study was to explore the
adequately prepared with the financial management skills needed for business
with the research method and methodology of this research study; I recruited 15
participants after getting the Walden University IRB approval (# 03-22-19-0560297), and
participants formed the basis for the generation of the themes. The analysis of the themes
was based on the interview questions in alignment with the central research question and
the subquestions. Participants’ interviews were transcribed, and the transcription served
as evidence for the theme formation. I transcribed the interviews word for word. I
presented the themes in the highest order of occurrence and order of the interview
85
questions using the semistructured interview protocol. I also included the themes that
emerged from the field notes and observations along with the interview questions to
Research question. The central research question for the study was the
following: What is the understanding of experienced SME owners regarding how SME
owners can be adequately prepared with the financial management skills needed for
Theme
mentioned
by Theme
Codes Themes participants percentage
Setting long-term financial goals, Strategic 15 100%
adhering to financial principles and accounting
practices in financial reporting help in practice
sustaining the business
The first emergent theme resulted from an analysis and interpretation of the data
collected from the semistructured interview question, and document review. Fifteen
SME owner can be adequately prepared for financial management skills needed for
business sustainability in Edo state. Participant 1,2,3,4,5, and 6 mentioned that: practicing
the accounting standards and principles on a long term could become a best approach to
preparing an SME owner for financial management skills required for business
sustainability; that this knowledge may help the SME owner understand all the
best way SME owners could learn the details of the principles that guide accounting
and 15 mentioned that accounting practices are vital for an SME owner in understanding
the accounting rudiments and procedures in taking both short and long term decisions for
The second emergent theme resulted from an analysis and interpretation of the
data collected from the semistructured interview question, and document review.
skills needed for business sustainability in Edo state. Participant 1,2,3, and 4 inferred that
knowledge of financial planning is required for SME owners to prepare for financial
management skills needed for business sustainability in Edo state, Nigeria. Financial
planning is setting of short, medium, and long term financial goals for the organization.
management skills that SME owner required for making informed and uninformed
decisions for the organization; issues on purchase, sales, recruitment, pricing, and
negotiation are all planned for in the business world. Without adequate knowledge on
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price, the promotion and the place when making financial planning for our products; the
price indicate what the competition is looking at, the products reveal how well package a
product could be presented, the promotion indicate where appropriate for customers to
get the products, and the place is the reach of the products to the intended clients. Having
adequate knowledge of the financial planning has been helpful in the financial
management that has sustained the business till date. Participant 14 stated “planning for
taxes, government regulations, and inflation has been the secrete to effective financial
management as SME owner in this business. Financial planning is the main financial
The third emergent theme resulted from an analysis and interpretation of the data
collected from the semistructured interview question, and document review. Twelve
participants representing 80% mentioned that hiring an accountant is needed for an SME
owner to adequately prepared for financial management skills needed for business
sustainability in Edo state. Participant 1,2,3,4, and 5 mentioned that one way an SME
owner could prepare for financial management skills needed for business sustainability is
to consult or hire the services of a qualified accountant who would serve as teacher or
coach in providing accounting services and training to the SME owner on financial
issues. Participant 6, 7, and 8 inferred that delegating the role of financial management to
a qualified accountant is a strategy for SME owner to prepare for financial management
Participant 9, 10,11, and 12 mentioned that having a trained accountant has been a
way we have used to delegate authority on financial management issues so that we could
focus on planning the organization for expansion and daily operations. Having an
accountant on your payroll is a way of having a trainer and the same time, and
professional who manages the accounting records required for financial sustainability.
The investors and prospective investors need financial records, the customers need
financial records, the government required the financial records; all these records are
being handled by the trained accountant who eventually prepares the SME owner on
The fourth emergent theme resulted from an analysis and interpretation of the data
collected from the semistructured interview question, and document review. Fifteen
participants representing 100% mentioned that accounting record keeping was needed for
an SME owner to adequately prepared for financial management skills needed for
business sustainability in Edo state. All participants mentioned that adequate record
keeping; keeping the receipt, the bill, the sales report, government bills and having the
discipline to keep record was needed for SME owners to adequately prepare for financial
management skills required for business sustainability. The 15 participants agreed that
they have practiced accounting record keeping before becoming owners of their
respective SME, and that is the first skills they transfer to employees. All transactions
must be recorded for adequate accounting and reconciliation. Record keeping has become
The fifth emergent theme resulted from an analysis and interpretation of the data
collected from the semistructured interview question, and document review. Fifteen
needed for an SME owner to adequately prepared for financial management skills needed
for business sustainability in Edo state. All participants inferred at a long term, the need
Hired accountant can be replaced, a trained staff can also change job or become a self-
degree in accounting and the financial records of the business also became healthier when
ever taking as the business was almost crumbling prior to using consultants to handle the
The Sixth emergent theme resulted from an analysis and interpretation of the data
collected from the semistructured interview question, and document review. Thirteen
management software was needed for an SME owner to adequately prepared for financial
management skills needed for business sustainability in Edo state. Participant 1,2,3, and 4
mentioned that automating the accounting records, using software was a major decision
towards enhancing financial management skills that helped the organization survived
such as billing machine, and CCTV has reduced theft in the shops as well as increase
technological devices and software increase the SME owner participation in the business
activities which also ensure the financial management skills required for business
and schedule for interviews. I presented the demographics of the participants; fifteen
participants in Edo state, who have had experience, education and training on SME
financial practice within the last 3 years. The research question was used to identify the
adequately prepared for financial management skills needed for business sustainability in
Edo state, Nigeria. I discussed the trustworthiness and its application to the study. The
chapter comprised the study results that encompassed how I generated the codes that
entailed the themes in alignment with the interview questions and participants’ quotes
supporting the themes. Chapter 5 reflects the findings from the study, including the
of the study, the recommendation, and the implication of social change for the study.
93
Chapter 5: Discussion, Conclusions, and Recommendations
The purpose of this exploratory multiple case study was to explore the
adequately prepared with the financial management skills needed for business
with the research method and methodology of this research study; I recruited 15 the
participants after obtaining Walden University IRB approval, and I interviewed the 15
study because the qualitative research method may be used to explore potential
antecedents and factors that researchers do not know about or intend to explore. The
Interpretation of Findings
The research question that guided this study was the following: What are the
adequately prepared for financial management skills needed for business sustainability in
Edo state, Nigeria? I used NVivo to organize the data and manually coded the data from
the transcribed interviews of the research participants, my field notes, and document
review to generate themes to address the research question. Six major themes emerged:
(a) strategic accounting practice, (b) knowledge of financial planning, (c) hiring an
accountant, (d) accounting record keeping, (e) obtaining accounting education, and (f)
embracing technological and financial management software. I aligned the themes with
94
my findings from the literature review and conceptual framework in Chapter 2 to
ascertain their concurrence with existing literature and to support the research framework.
The first theme resulted from analysis and interpretation of the data collected
from the semistructured interview questions. I found that strategic accounting practice
was how SME owners can be adequately prepared with the financial management skills
needed for business sustainability in Edo state, Nigeria. This first theme supported
Huerta et al. (2017) investigated the introduction of accounting practices into small
family business and inferred that the success of small business on the economy’s
sustainability. Although the success of small firms depends on many external and internal
factors, the implementation of sound accounting practice is critical for any firm’s survival
accounting practices, the process of introducing accounting practices into small business
remains poorly understood, with only a small number of studies addressing the issues
(Arunruangsirilert & Chonglerttham, 2017). Sallem, Nasir, Nori, and Kassim (2017)
stated that the implementation of prudent accounting practices is a successful model that
small business owners should adopt for significant improvement and sustainability.
Mahesh, Phan, and Tran-Nam (2018) identified the 7Ps model as a tool in
accounting practice that can be taught from generations in organizations for effectiveness.
The 7Ps identified are periods, places, people, practices, propagation, products, and
profession (Mahesh et al., 2018). The periods in current accounting practice refer to the
95
annual report, monthly report, weekly reports, and daily report of accounting records
(Mahesh et al., 2018). The place refers to the geographical location and economic and
political setting of the organization under review (Parry, 2016). The people refers to the
different stakeholders involved in the accounting regulatory process, which include the
(Parry, 2016). The practice refers to the conventions, standards, policies, and inclusion
and exclusion criteria that govern the accounting practice in an organization (Parry,
2016). The propagation refers to the interaction of accounting practice with the social,
political, and economic environment in which the organization operates (Agostini &
Favero, 2017). The products refer to the financial statement, which is delivered to the
(Agostini & Favero, 2017). Profession means the bodies of accounting practice that set
country (Agostini & Favero, 2017). In response to the research question (What are the
adequately prepared with the financial management skills needed for business
accounting practice, SME owners are adequately prepared for financial management
The second theme resulted from analysis and interpretation of the data collected
from the semistructured interview questions. I found that knowledge of financial planning
96
was required of SME owners, who can be adequately prepared with the financial
management skills needed for business sustainability in Edo state, Nigeria. This second
accounting practice. Safari, Mansori, and Sesaiah (2017) described financial planning
ever-evolving process of meeting one’s life goals such as buying a house, paying for
a wide array of activities, such as cash flow management, savings, investments, tax
planning, real estate management, insurance planning, and retirement planning (Safari et
al., 2017). Financial decisions may occur in the form of personal cash flow management,
planning, retirement planning, and tax or even estate planning (Kumar, Tomar, & Verma,
2019). Some of these decisions require in-depth knowledge; hence, it is rational for a
person to seek advice from an expert. A financial planner’s role is to help the person in
organizational financial planning entails a business plan, financial statement, and cash
flow, PFP involves awareness creation in a complex financial market and the awareness
planning, required for minimizing tax burden; (b) cash flow planning, required for
planning savings and spending policies; (c) investment planning, needed by deploying
current resources efficiently to meet future requirements; (d) risk management, to reduce
household exposure to uncertainty; (e) retirement plan, for the life cycle period when
income ceases; and (f) estate planning by distributing income and wealth among other
family members. Simply put, financial planning elements that should be taught to SME
owners for business sustainability are savings plans, investment plans, liability plans,
housing plans, insurance plans, retirement plans, and estate plans (Ng et al., 2019).
Hiring an Accountant
The third theme resulted from analysis and interpretation of the data collected
from the semistructured interview questions. I found that hiring an accountant was
required for SME owners to be adequately prepared with the financial management skills
needed for business sustainability in Edo state, Nigeria. This third theme supported
sustainability. Job fit for accounting professionals may require more than technical
that besides technical skills, other abilities such as communication, problem solving,
critical thinking, and negotiation are equally important in job success (Lepisto,
Dobroszek, Moilanen, & Zarzycka, 2018). Accounting professionals looking to grow and
progress in their careers will continue to need strong technical skills, but they
98
increasingly need soft skills, which include interpersonal skills, verbal, written, and
accountant needs to interact with people while performing his or her job (Stanley, 2017).
Accountants must be able to interact with potential clients to sell their services, and they
must communicate with both government and nongovernment officials with whom they
have to contend as part of the job (Stanley, 2017). Accordingly, accountants who do not
have strong interpersonal skills may feel uncomfortable with their daily duties and thus
may experience low satisfaction with the job. The accountant must also be able to
communicate and report the accounting findings to the owner of the business who
requires such reporting to both the internal and external stakeholders for business
SMEs play important roles in the economic growth and sustainable development
et al. (2016) stipulated that micro and small business recordkeeping is the backbone of
Germain (2010) found that most business operators, especially those in SMEs, perceive
record keeping as a method of recovering initial investment in the form of cash at the end
of the accounting period. If SMEs do not maintain proper accounting records, the long-
term sustainability of the business may be in question (Blackburn, Carey, & Tanewski,
2018). Blackburn et al. (2018) emphasized that many small businesses failed to keep
99
adequate records. This may lead to major problems and quite possibly the closing of a
business. Evidence shows that keeping good records helps to increase the chances of
business survival (Gan, Chong, & Ahmed, 2016). In essence, an SME’s owner or
manager should be personally involved in record keeping (Badu & Appiah, 2018). Proper
record keeping ensures long-term sustainability of the business and anticipates long-term
has shown that the majority of SME owners do not have adequate accounting knowledge,
and therefore a few capable owners use professional firms to account for their business
(Blackburn et al., 2018). Badu at el. (2018) argued that the high cost of hiring
that accounting and marketing pose major challenges to the management of SMEs and
recommended that managers or owners in SMEs learn about record keeping and
accounting. This study reveals the need to continuously organize training programs and
provide some SME-specific accounting guidelines and template forms for capturing
accounting information.
Financial knowledge and capabilities can be an essential strategic resource for the
efficient allocation of finance and for greater financial stability and sustainability for
SMEs (Tang & Seng, 2016). Firms with a good understanding of financial knowledge
100
and capabilities would be expected to be better placed than firms without those skills
(Tang & Seng, 2016). Lack of financial knowledge and capabilities can also result in
circumstances that make firms vulnerable to severe financial crises, leading to a lower
rate of longer term performance and a higher risk of cyclical volatility in the firm (Botes
& Sharma, 2017). Indeed, financial knowledge and capabilities can help SME owners to
cover unpredictable eventualities and provide financial security (Botes & Sharma, 2017).
tremendous change over recent decades. In the earlier part of the 20th century,
decisions when measuring the extent of the value added to business valuations in the
2015). The latter part of the 20th century saw a change in focus when commentators
realized the extent to which corporate behavior contributed to social, environmental, and
audit firms and local accounting and auditing firms, including KPMG, PwC, and Ernst
&Young, which are currently operating in Nigeria, also promote and need qualified
accountants (Agwu & Emeti, 2014). Many practicing management accountants have
business, stakeholder management, and integrated reporting (Agwu & Emeti, 2014).
disciplines, such as product and release planning, strategy, and development, supporting a
101
product from idea to maintenance by SMEs (Maglyas, Nikula, Smolande, & Fricker,
2017). Small and medium-sized businesses can reduce electrical power costs by shifting
to distributed computing, rather than adopting and operating their own servers (Maglyas
et al., 2017). The delivery of computer services through clouds, instead of massive sets of
shared machines, enables firms to outsource the running of their applications, accounting
systems, and customer databases to someone else (Tarhini, Yunis, & El-Kassar, 2018).
The SME engages in marketing, and sales involve actions associated with advertising,
promotion, pricing, and selling, which are facilitated through a technological medium
(Tarhini et al., 2018). Activities in marketing, promotion, and pricing can be supported by
firm website and customer relationship management (CRM) technology. Most SMEs
overall, including the micro, small, and medium groups, have a website for marketing
CRM is use of software to store customer data for tracking and analysis of
customer needs and sales activities (Soto-Acosta et al., 2018). Service involves actions
associated with providing service and assistance to the customer (Soto-Acosta et al.,
2018). A larger proportion of medium firms than small firms employ CRM; 16.7% of
micro, 27.8% of small, and 28.1% of medium firms employ CRM (Maglyas et al., 2017).
95%, had Internet connections and email (Tarhini et al., 2018). SME owners who
The scope of this case study design was limited to SME owners from three
industries in Edo state who had prior knowledge of, experience with, and education in
financial management and had been managing an SME for the last 3 years before their
participation. These SME owners in Edo state would have used their knowledge of
entrepreneurial skills obtained, become self-employed and employers of labor. I was the
sole instrument of data collection, and due to elements of subjectivity from both myself
and the participants regarding the purposeful sampling approach used in the data
collection process, has an inherent bias. Thus, the research result from the sampled
I used a qualitative multiple case study design for this inquiry. This design
entailed the selection of SME owners from three different industries in Edo state who had
prior knowledge of, experience with, and education on financial management and had
been managing an SME for the last 3 years before their participation. I was the sole
instrument of data collection; this situation may have affected the responses of the
participants due to the open-ended nature of questions that influenced the veracity of
statements and personal interests. I upheld a high standard of academic integrity and
followed the procedures for the data collection and interview protocol.
I used member checking to establish the reliability and validity of this study and
verify the participants’ statement within a limited time-frame, this may have impacted on
103
the responses of the participants due to lack of sufficient time for proper reflection
(Morse, 2015). The consideration for time restraints, rescheduling, and cancellations was
a contributing factor that might have limited this study (Houghton et al., 2013). I used
NVivo 11 software for the data organization and audit trail to elicit reflexivity towards
enhancing dependability and confirmability of the study (Houghton et al., 2013). The use
of hand coding, note taking, and digital audio recorder for the interviews facilitated the
validation and confirmation of the data collection. Consistent checking for reliability,
validity, and accuracy of the data ensured that the study did not have any missed data or
inconsistencies.
Recommendations
The purpose of this exploratory multiple case study was to explore the
understanding of experienced SME owners regarding how SMEs owners can adequately
prepare for financial management skills needed for business sustainability in Edo state,
Nigeria. The result of this study indicated a need to develop ways in which women in
Niger Delta states can thrive through obtaining information necessary to obtain financial
management knowledge required for business sustainability in Nigeria. This study may
need to be expanded to include other SMEs in the rest 35 states in Nigeria, as these SMEs
may also benefit from this study. Future researchers may investigate whether differences
in the various states of Nigeria, or in various other industries experience the same issues
area of SMEs in Nigeria. The purpose of this exploratory multiple case study is to explore
the understanding of experienced SME owners regarding how SMEs owners can be
adequately prepared for financial management skills needed for business sustainability in
Edo state, Nigeria. I used a multiple case study; the research method was qualitative. The
first recommendation for future researchers is to increase the number of SME for further
studies. This may provide an opportunity for future researchers to compare the result of
quantitative study; comparing the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria to have a depth of
variables (Kendall & Halliday, 2014). Using quantitative methodology enables the
using a mixed method approach for this study. A mixed method approach deploys both
qualitative and quantitative means to get data from the sample population; the mixed
method approach enables the researcher in future research to augment the qualitative
method with the quantitative method in this study. mixed methods research deploys the
this topic of study and could be supported by government policies to ensure adequate
implementation of findings:
government of Nigeria could make it compulsory that all universities and secondary
schools must have financial management knowledge module included in the academic
financial management training and education to all employees could provide the desired
the educational curriculum of both universities and polytechnics in Nigeria, more world-
government in Nigeria should take responsibility to change the paradigm that is currently
could create a new paradigm that would contribute to positive social change among SME
that business ideas could come from a combination of individual activities such as
106
studying competitors, being innovative, through a customer service attitude, business
feasibility study.
Implications
Successful small business owners with effective financial management may have
some strategies that they could contribute to help other small businesses improve their
business. The lack of prudent financial management has been the demise of many small
businesses (Hoque, 2017). A reflection of the study is that with the implementation of the
right strategies, the possibility of small businesses’ existence and their profitability may
measure the performance of the business and make comparisons to projected targets.
Such abilities may increase the potential success of small businesses, and consequently,
might add economic value to the country. A fundamental element highlighted in this
Sapiei, Mustapha, & Abdullah, 2016). The knowledge gained from this study on strategic
record keeping, obtaining accounting education, and embracing technology and financial
107
management software, may inform the government development of policy on how SME
business would survived in the long term, thereby contributing to the growth of the
improving the standard of living among employees in SME. Further, compliance with
taxation indicates an unlikely occurrence of punishment that could pose any dangers to
the progress of small businesses (Azmi et al., 2016), consequently resulting in business
stability, which may boost growth in the number of profitable small businesses.
critical in the determination of which is the better practice to adopt for effective financial
activities in the business would be a decisive factor in the need for full-time employment
these same strategies are applicable for businesses in existence for more than 10 years.
Furthermore, there might be value in identifying the strategies, if any, that small business
owners used to prepared for financial management skills needed for business
sustainability in Edo state, Nigeria. Identification of the strategies in the successful and
108
failed entities may allow a comparison between what works and what does not.
The findings from this study have undergirded the theoretical framework
regarding the body of knowledge and professional practice that would help leaders of
Nigerian educational sector to resolve the problems confronting SME owners in Edo,
adequately prepared for financial management skills needed for business sustainability in
Edo state, Nigeria. Future scholars of leadership and management could find the
information useful on the need to take a look at the understanding of experienced SME
owners regarding how SMEs owners can be adequately prepared for financial
management skills needed for business sustainability in other states in Nigeria and have a
basis of comparison. The results of this research could benefit SME leaders and
educational institutions as it could help SME owners to understand better how to manage
the educational policy as it relates to SMEs preparation for financial management skills
needed for business sustainability. The study has contributed to the body of knowledge
on SMEs adequate preparation for financial management skills needed for business
sustainability as it could provide the basis for future research by students and researchers
concerning SME owners’ policies and its impact on societal growth and development.
109
Conclusions
The purpose of this exploratory multiple case study was to explore the
adequately prepared for financial management skills needed for business sustainability in
Edo state, Nigeria. The topic of this study was Exploring Financial Management
Practices of Small and Medium Enterprises in Nigeria. The key findings from this study
accounting record keeping, and obtaining technology and financial management software
as means to prepare for prepared for financial management skills needed for business
sustainability in Edo state, Nigeria. The results of this study could enhance understanding
of the challenges SME owners face in the financial management required for business
impact is that a sustained SME business has the potential to increase the country’s
revenue, and the SME business would survive in the long term thereby contributing to the
growth of the community by employing local community citizens and improving their
standard of living. I shared the summary of the results of the research with the research
participants.
110
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Appendix A: Interview Protocol
The interview questions were sent to experts on research and would be contacted
through email after obtaining their qualifications from faculty expert directory (FED) of
Walden University. The research question and the interview questions was presented to
Research Question
Interview Questions
Interview Questions
3. What strategies do you use to select the financial management and products used
as SME?
4. What assessment have you used to determine the success of the strategies that
of your SME?
6. What additional area do you want to share on how you manage financial
management?
143
Appendix B: Revised Interview Protocol
2. What are the essential strategies you use to manage the finance of the business in
3. What strategies do you use to select the financial management of your business?
4. What assessment have you used to determine the success of the strategies that you
6. What educational background and experience do you have in the area of financial
management?
7. What are the motivational factors you derived from being self-employed?
8. What other factors or strategies do you want to share on how financial management